Economic analysis of rapid multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing for meningitis/encephalitis in pediatric patients

Future Microbiol. 2018 May:13:617-629. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2017-0238. Epub 2018 Jan 10.

Abstract

Aim: We assessed the possible economic impact of a rapid test in pediatric patients with suspected community-acquired meningitis/encephalitis.

Materials & methods: Modeling simulated diagnosis, clinical decisions, resource use/costs of standard of care (SOC) and two cerebrospinal fluid testing strategies using FilmArray® (FA), a US FDA-cleared system that provides results in approximately 1 h.

Results: Pathogens detected by FA caused approximately 75% of cases, 97% of which would be accurately diagnosed with FA. Mean cost/case ranged from $17,599 to $22,025. Syndromic testing is less expensive than SOC. Testing all suspected cases yielded greater savings ($3481/case) than testing only those with abnormal cerebrospinal fluid ($2157/case).

Conclusion: Greater economic benefits are achievable with syndromic testing of all cases, rather than SOC or targeted syndromic testing.

Keywords: FilmArray; cost; encephalitis; meningitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Community-Acquired Infections / diagnosis
  • Costs and Cost Analysis*
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Meningitis / diagnosis*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / economics*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / economics*
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Time Factors