Evaluation of the Utilization of FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis in Children With Suspected Central Nervous System Infection A Retrospective Case Series

Background The etiology of central nervous system infections is often difficult to establish. FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis (ME) panel is a multiplex polymerase chain reaction for rapid identification of 14 pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential real-life contributions of the use of this method in the pediatric population. Methods We herein report the results obtained with FilmArray ME in a retrospective case series of 367 children with suspected central nervous system infection. We identified viral and bacterial agents by FilmArray, and we evaluated the potential diagnostic contributions of the use of the panel taking into account the cytological, biochemical, and microbiological results of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Results The FilmArray ME panel detected a viral infection in 186 cases (50.7%) and a bacterial infection in 12 cases (3.3%). Fifty-three cases (28.4%) of viral infection had at least 1 CSF finding that could be mistaken for bacterial meningitis. Enterovirus was identified in 2 cases with normal CSF findings. Among 12 bacterial infection cases, only 6 (50%) had a positive result with conventional microbiology analysis (Gram stain and culture). The CSF findings suggestive of bacterial meningitis were found in all 6 cases in which FilmArray was the only method to identify bacterial etiological agent. Conclusions FilmArray ME panel identified an etiological agent in cases in which conventional CSF analysis failed, providing potential clinical contributions to the management of such cases.