226 Prescription of paracetamol as an antipyretic in paediatrics: analysis of practices in a national acute and teaching hospital

Abstract

positive results from 1249 CSF samples tested using FA-M/E technology. Of the positive analyses, 50 (19.5%) were bacterial and 206 (80.5%) were viral/fungal pathogens. 41/50 (82%) bacterial isolates were TP and 6/50 (12%) False Positives (FP) and 3 unconfirmed by reference tests. The bacterial analytes detected include S.Pneumonia 19 (15 TP, 2 FP, 2 unconfirmed) S.Agalactiae 13 (11 TP, 2 FP), E.Coli K1 13 (11TP, 1 FP, 1 unconfirmed), HiB 3 (2 TP, 1 FP), N. Meningitidis 1 (1 TP), L. Monocytogenes 1 (1 TP). 41/50 (82%) bacterial isolates were TP's confirmed by reference testing, 6/50 (12%) were FP and 3/50 (6%) were unconfirmed by reference testing. Conclusions The FA-M/E panel can detect 6 common bacterial organisms in the CSF with a TP rate of 82% and a FP rate of 12%. The PCR panels ability to rapidly identify CNS pathogens within 60 minutes makes it a useful diagnostic tool in emergency settings. However five out of eight studies included were retrospective and as a result clinical data may had been lost, some samples were retrospectively tested after 2 years, thus we cannot determine the exact impact the FA-M/E would have on clinical outcomes. Due to study design or insufficient CSF volume, many samples did not undergo adjudicatory testing to validate FA-M/E panel results.The FA-M/E panel and rapid PCR panels are feasible adjuncts to conventional testing but larger studies in different settings are required before they can replace current practice.