title: Comparison of the FilmArray assay and in-house real-time PCR for detection of respiratory infection.
abstract: Recently, molecular methods capable of detecting almost all microbial agents that may cause acute respiratory infection have been introduced. The FilmArray Respiratory Panel assay, which integrates nucleic acid extraction, nested amplification and detection in a reaction pouch preloaded with all reagents required for detection of 17 viruses and 3 bacteria, was compared with an in-house real-time PCR that detects these agents in 8 parallel amplifications. When 128 clinical samples representing 18 of these agents were analysed by both assays the agreement was excellent, with kappa values ranging between 0.54 and 1.0. Discordances were mainly observed for adenovirus, but not when version 1.7 of FilmArray was used. The results show that these assays detect a wide range of pathogens with similar performance. FilmArray provides results after approximately 1 h, including ≈ 5 min hands-on time, and does not require advanced equipment or expertise in molecular diagnostics, making it a useful point-of-care-test for acute respiratory infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Sigvard
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olofsson
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindh
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: Acute respiratory infection; FilmArray; molecular diagnostics; point-of care testing; real-time PCR