Multiplex real-time PCR in non-invasive respiratory samples to reduce antibiotic use in community-acquired pneumonia: a randomised trial

We assessed whether multiplex real-time PCR plus conventional microbiological testing is safe and more effective than conventional microbiological testing alone for reducing antibiotic use in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In this randomised trial, we recruited adults hospitalised with CAP at f...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Abelenda Alonso, Gabriela, Calatayud, Laura, Rombauts, Alexander, Meije, Yolanda, Oriol, Isabel, Sopena, Nieves, Padullés Zamora, Ariadna, Niubó, Jordi, Duarte, Alejandra, Llaberia Marcual, Jaume, Aranda Lobo, Judit, Gudiol González, Carlota, Satorra Herbera, Pau, Tebé, Cristian, Ardanuy Tisaire, María Carmen, Carratalà, Jordi
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/215891
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/215891
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Pneumònia
Antibiòtics
Medicaments antibacterians
Infeccions
Pneumonia
Antibiotics
Antibacterial agents
Infections
Description
Summary:We assessed whether multiplex real-time PCR plus conventional microbiological testing is safe and more effective than conventional microbiological testing alone for reducing antibiotic use in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In this randomised trial, we recruited adults hospitalised with CAP at four Spanish hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to undergo either multiplex real-time PCR in non-invasive respiratory samples plus conventional microbiological testing or conventional microbiological testing alone. The primary endpoint was antibiotic use measured by days of antibiotic therapy (DOT). Between February 20, 2020, and April 24, 2023, 242 patients were enrolled; 119 were randomly assigned to multiplex real-time PCR plus conventional microbiological testing and 123 to conventional microbiological testing alone. All but one of the patients allocated to multiplex real-time PCR plus conventional microbiological testing underwent PCR, which was performed in sputum samples in 77 patients (65.2%) and in nasopharyngeal swabs in 41 (34.7%). The median DOT was 10.04 (IQR 7.98, 12.94) in the multiplex PCR plus conventional microbiological testing group and 11.33 (IQR 8.15, 16.16) in the conventional microbiological testing alone group (difference -1.04; 95% CI, -2.42 to 0.17; p = 0.093). No differences were observed in adverse events and 30-day mortality. Our findings do not support the routine implementation of multiplex real-time PCR in the initial microbiological testing in hospitalised patients with CAP.

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