Multicenter Evaluation of BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2 for Detection of Viruses and Bacteria in Nasopharyngeal Swab Samples

Abstract

The FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2 (RP2) is a multiplex in vitro diagnostic test for the simultaneous and rapid (∼45-min) detection of 22 pathogens directly from nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples. It contains updated (and in some instances redesigned) assays that improve upon the FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP; version 1.7), with a faster run time. The organisms identified are adenovirus, coronavirus 229E, coronavirus HKU1, coronavirus NL63, coronavirus OC43, human metapneumovirus, human rhinovirus/enterovirus, influenza virus A, influenza virus A H1, influenza virus A H1-2009, influenza virus A H3, influenza virus B, parainfluenza virus 1, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, parainfluenza virus 4, respiratory syncytial virus, Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Two new targets are included in the FilmArray RP2: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Bordetella parapertussis. This study provides data from a multicenter evaluation of 1,612 prospectively collected NPS samples, with performance compared to that of the FilmArray RP or PCR and sequencing. The overall percent agreement between the FilmArray RP2 and the comparator testing was 99.2%. The RP2 demonstrated a positive percent agreement of 91.7% or greater for detection of all but three analytes: coronavirus OC43, B. parapertussis, and B. pertussis. The FilmArray RP2 also demonstrated a negative percent agreement of ≥93.8% for all analytes. Of note, the adenovirus assay detects all genotypes, with a demonstrated increase in sensitivity. The FilmArray RP2 represents a significant improvement over the FilmArray RP, with a substantially shorter run time that could aid in the diagnosis of respiratory infections in a variety of clinical scenarios.

Acquisition of respiratory viruses and presence of respiratory symptoms in French pilgrims during the 2016 Hajj: A prospective cohort study

“…Of the 21 pilgrims sampled at the time of symptom onset, 19 were resampled before leaving Saudi Arabia, allowing the proportion of individuals who allowed their viral transport back to the country to be calculated. The mean time between onset of symptoms and testing on leaving KSA was 15.4 days (ranging [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Rhinovirus/enterovirus carriage was cleared in 70.6.1% cases, coronavirus 229E carriage in 71.4% cases and influenza virus A carriage in 100% cases, while the majority of cases were still symptomatic (71.4%) ( Fig.…”

“…The analyses were carried out in Marseille, following return (thus results were not available during the stay in Saudi Arabia) with a validated multiplex qualitative PCR method [13]. The BioFire respiratory panel (BFRP, BioFire) includes the following virus targets: rhinovirus/ enterovirus, adenovirus, human coronavirus (229E, HKU1, NL63 and OC43), human metapneumovirus, influenza virus A and B, parainfluenza virus (1, 2, 3 and 4) and respiratory syncytial virus.…”

Association between multiple respiratory viral infections and pediatric intensive care unit admission among infants with bronchiolitis

“…The real-time multiplex PCR used in our institution is the FilmArray [13]. Infection with multiple viruses is defined as the presence of two or more viral strains.…”

Evaluation of the sick returned traveler

“…This panel is useful for diagnosis of cases meeting MERS-CoV clinical and/or epidemiologic criteria. 36 Testing for some infections of public health importance (e.g. rabies, VHFs, MERS, etc.)…”