RF KOLLER¹, MT BARBANI¹, S ZÜRCHER¹, AU LÜTHI¹, JF STEINLIN-SCHOPFER¹, SL LEIB¹, M GORGIEVSKI-HRISOHO<sup>1

1</sup>Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Switzerland

Fast and reliable identification of pathogens is important for adequate management of infections. PCR methods are usually the most sensitive for direct pathogen detection, but they require trained and experienced lab technicians and have a turnaround time of multiple hours. Therefore they are not ideal for emergency diagnostics. With newly developed all in one multiplex PCR systems, like the FilmArray by BioFire (a bioMérieux company), a broad spectrum of pathogens can be detected in an easy-to-use, fully automated system, in about 70 min. To optimize our service during weekends and off-peak times, we compared this system to our routinely used real-time PCR methods for the detection of viral pathogens by using the Respiratory Panel (RP) and the newly FDA cleared Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel for the FilmArray system. These panels allow the detection of 20 respiratory pathogens in nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and 14 ME pathogens in cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) respectively. To meet diagnostic needs reported from the clinicians in our hospitals we expanded the RP to testing for respiratory viruses in broncheoalveolar lavages (BAL) specimens, by implementing one additional preparation step. We retrospectively tested 23 NPS, 34 BAL, as well as 30 CSF. Currently all patient samples requiring urgent testing are prospectively included. The retrospectively tested NPS scored 100% sensitivity for viral targets by using the RP Panel. The sensitivity for BAL was as follows: 28 positive and 3 negative samples were correctly identified. One Adenovirus (PCR CT>35), and 2 low-positive Coronaviruses (PCR CT>37) were missed. ME Panel sensitivity is currently being assessed. The FilmArray panels provide a fast and comprehensive addition to currently used diagnostic tests. This multiplex PCR System offers a broad menu of pathogens in a single pouch and an easy to use setting with generally excellent performance, lower sample volume usage and less than 8 minutes hands-on time. The system can provide a useful addition for emergency diagnostics by offering a broad amount of pathogens within 2 hours.