Testing implications of varying targets for Bordetella pertussis: comparison of the FilmArray Respiratory Panel and the Focus B. pertussis PCR assay.
BACKGROUND
The FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP) detects multiple pathogens, including Bordetella pertussis. The multiplex PCR system is appropriate for a core laboratory or point of care due to ease of use. The purpose of this study is to compare the analytical sensitivity of the FilmArray RP, which targets the promoter region of the B. pertussis toxin gene, with the Focus real-time PCR assay, which targets the insertion sequence IS481.


METHODS
Seventy-one specimens from patients aged 1 month to 18 years, which had tested positive for B. pertussis using the Focus assay, were analysed using the FilmArray RP.


RESULTS
Forty-six specimens were positive for B. pertussis by both the Focus and the FilmArray RP assays. Twenty-five specimens were negative for B. pertussis using the FilmArray RP assay, but positive using the Focus assay.


CONCLUSIONS
The FilmArray RP assays will detect approximately 1/3 less cases of B. pertussis than the Focus assay.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Robert C
RC
Jerris
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Sally R
SR
Williams
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Heather J
HJ
MacDonald
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Danielle R
DR
Ingebrigtsen
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Lars F
LF
Westblade
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Beverly B
BB
Rogers
D000293:Adolescent; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D037342:Pertussis Toxin / Q000235:genetics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005819:Genetic Markers; D037342:Pertussis Toxin
BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS; MICROBIOLOGY; MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY