Identification of bacterial co-detections in COVID-19 critically Ill patients by BioFire® FilmArray® pneumonia panel: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Nov;101(3):115476. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115476. Epub 2021 Jul 1.

Abstract

Among critically ill COVID-19 patients, bacterial coinfections may occur, and timely appropriate therapy may be limited with culture-based microbiology due to turnaround time and diagnostic yield challenges (e.g. antibiotic pre-exposure). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of BioFire® FilmArray® Pneumonia Panel in detecting bacteria and clinical management among critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Seven studies with 558 patients were included. Antibiotic use before respiratory sampling occurred in 28-79% of cases. The panel incidence of detections was 33% (95% CI 0.25 to 0.41, I2=32%) while culture yielded 18% (95% CI 0.02 to 0.45; I2=93%). The panel was associated with approximately a 1 and 2 day decrease in turnaround for identification and common resistance targets, respectively. The panel may be an important tool for clinicians to improve antimicrobial use in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: Bacterial; BioFire Pneumonia Panel; COVID-19; Pneumonia; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • Coinfection / diagnosis*
  • Critical Illness
  • Humans
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity