Application of a multiplex molecular pneumonia panel and real-world impact on antimicrobial stewardship among patients with hospital-acquired and ventilatorassociated pneumonia in intensive care units

Background: The optimal timing for applying the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (FAPP) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with hospital -acquired pneumonia (HAP) or ventilator -associated pneumonia (VAP) remains undefined, and there are limited data on its impact on antimicrobial stewardship. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a referral hospital in Taiwan from November 2019 to October 2022. Adult ICU patients with HAP/VAP who underwent FAPP testing were enrolled. Patient data, FAPP results, conventional microbiological testing results, and the real -world impact of FAPP results on antimicrobial therapy adjustments were assessed. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictive factors for bacterial detection by FAPP. Results: Among 592 respiratory specimens, including 564 (95.3%) endotracheal aspirate specimens, 19 (3.2%) expectorated sputum specimens and 9 (1.5%) bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, from 467 patients with HAP/VAP, FAPP testing yielded 368 (62.2%) positive results. Independent predictors for positive bacterial detection by FAPP included prolonged hospital stay (odds ratio [OR], 3.14), recent admissions (OR, 1.59), elevated C -reactive protein levels (OR, 1.85), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (OR, 1.58), and septic shock (OR, 1.79). Approximately 50% of antimicrobial therapy for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria and 58.4% for Gram-positive bacteria were adjusted or confirmed after obtaining FAPP results. Conclusions: This study identified several factors predicting bacterial detection by FAPP in critically ill patients with HAP/VAP. More than 50% real -world clinical practices were adjusted or confirmed based on the FAPP results. Clinical algorithms for the use of FAPP and antimicrobial stewardship guidelines may further enhance its benefits. Copyright (c) 2024, Taiwan Society of Microbiology. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. This is an open access article under the CC BY -NC -ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/).