Use of the FilmArray® system for the diagnosis of meningitis and encephalitis

Abstract

The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel is a diagnostic test used to detect the presence of multiple pathogens that can cause meningitis/encephalitis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. The test is a novel molecular multiplex PCR for detecting the 14 most common causative pathogens of central nervous system infections. The pathogens detected by the FilmArray ME Panel include six bacteria (Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae), seven viruses (herpes simplex virus types 1 [HSV–1] and 2 [HSV–2], varicella–zoster virus [VZV], cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6, human parechovirus, and enterovirus), and one yeast group (Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii). The FilmArray ME Panel uses a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to simultaneously test for the presence of multiple pathogens in a single CSF sample, with results available within a few hours. This contrasts with traditional microbiological testing methods, which can take several days to provide results and may require testing for each pathogen individually. The rapid and accurate detection provided by the FilmArray ME Panel can help clinicians quickly identify the cause of meningitis or encephalitis and choose the most appropriate treatment for their patients. It is worth noting that a negative test result does not necessarily rule out the possibility of an infection, and the clinical findings should always be considered in interpreting the results.