Fast Multiplex PCR of Bronchoalveolar Lavage for Antibiotic Stewardship in Ventilator Associated Pneumonia. A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Study

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains one of the main nosocomial infections acquired in the intensive care unit (ICU). VAP is pneumonia occurring 48 hours after intubation. Today, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is used for microbiological diagnosis, with bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility results within 48 to 72 hours. Multiplex PCR can detect the bacterial DNA of a number of bacteria, as well as the presence of resistance genes. However, its clinical value in the ICU remains to be demonstrated. We think that the use of multiplex PCR with a panel adapted to the microbiology of VAP, could be an interesting method for clinicians in ICU.

The aim of our study is to compare the percentage of appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy in the group benefiting from multiplex PCR on BAL prior to bacterial culture results compared to control group (bacterial culture alone=usual management) in patients with culture-confirmed VAP.

This is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, French study conducted in 8 university intensive care units (2 surgical units, 6 medical units) in the Grand-Est region of France. The multiplex PCR tested here is BioFire's FilmArray Pneumonia Panel Plus. It is performed solely on per-fibroscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids in cases of suspected VAP.