Work

Introducing a New Polymerase Chain Reaction Panel–Based Cerebrospinal Fluid Evaluation for Encephalitis and Meningitis: Does It Influence Empiric Treatment Duration, Length of Hospital Stay, and Pathogen-Specific Diagnoses?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We analyzed the impact of a diagnostic meningitis/encephalitis polymerase chain reaction panel. Introducing the test resulted in no significantly shortened empiric antibiotic streptococcal/meningococcal treatment (−1 day [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0–3 days]; P = .16), nor hospitalization (−2 days [95% CI, 0–3 days]; P = .86). Empiric treatment duration against Herpesviridae and Listeria monocytogenes remained unchanged, and pathogen-specific diagnoses were not increased.

Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf241

Authors: Fabian Sidler, Pascal Bittel, Jonas Marschall, Philipp Jent

Institutions: University of Bern, University Hospital of Bern, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Arizona College of Medicine- Phoenix

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial Infections and Vaccines

Subfield: Microbiology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,053