Impact of FilmArray meningitis encephalitis panel on HSV testing and empiric acyclovir use in children beyond the neonatal period

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020 Aug;97(4):115085. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2020.115085. Epub 2020 May 17.

Abstract

Following implementation of the FilmArray meningitis and encephalitis panel, which enables rapid syndromic cerebrospinal fluid testing, HSV testing doubled in children >60 days with suspected central nervous system infection at Children's Hospital Colorado. Acyclovir initiation was unchanged, but duration decreased. Diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship is needed for MEP optimization.

Keywords: Acyclovir; Antimicrobial stewardship; Diagnostic stewardship; Diagnostics; Encephalitis; Herpes; Meningitis; Pediatrics.

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use*
  • Adolescent
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Central Nervous System Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Central Nervous System Infections / diagnosis*
  • Central Nervous System Infections / drug therapy*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Pediatric
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningitis, Viral / diagnosis
  • Meningitis, Viral / drug therapy
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Simplexvirus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Acyclovir