posted on 2019-09-18, 17:26authored byJohn Haigh, Maria-Teresa Cutino-Moguel, Mark Wilks, Catherine A. Welch, Mark Melzer
BACKGROUND: The Cepheid® GeneXpert® (GXP) can simultaneously test for norovirus (NV), Clostridium difficile (CD), influenza A/B (IFA/B) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). AIM: To compare centralised multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with localised GXP testing at a district general hospital. METHODS: From December 2017 - December 2018, samples received at Whipps Cross University Hospital (WCUH) were first tested at the local laboratory before transport centrally to the Royal London Hospital (RLH). At the RLH, a non-proprietary multiplex reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR assay was performed, which also tested for GI or Respiratory pathogens not tested for by the GXP. FINDINGS: 1,111 stool and respiratory samples were processed at both sites. 591 were respiratory and 520 were stool samples. Compared to centralised testing, the GXP gave sensitivity, specificity, and NPV all in excess of 97%, with the exception of RSV. The RSV assay had a sensitivity of 66.7% (95%CI 24.1, 94.0) but a NPV of 99.7% (95%CI 98.6, 99.9). At the RLH, 65 (5.9%) additional respiratory or GI viruses were detected, predominantly rhinovirus 35 (3.2%) and adenovirus 11 (1.0%). Compared to centralised testing, the median time saved for local respiratory and gastro-intestinal sample testing was 19 hours and 46 min and 17 hours and 06 min. CONCLUSIONS: Local GXP testing compared to centralised multiplex PCR testing for IF, NV and CD, demonstrated sensitivities, specificities and NPV between 95% - 100%. Turnaround times were faster, enabling quicker infection prevention and control decision making. In our local setting (WCUH), the GXP demonstrated the potential to reduce NV and IFA/B outbreaks.
Funding
The project was funded by a grant award from Barts Charity, grant number MGU0362.
Barts Charity is a charity registered in England and Wales No. 212563, and a company registered in England and Wales, No. 7168381, whose registered office is at 12 Cock Lane, London EC1A 9BU. www.bartscharity.org.uk Tel. 020 7618 1717 Fax. 020 7248 9395.
History
Citation
Journal of Hospital Infection, 2019
Author affiliation
/Organisation/COLLEGE OF LIFE SCIENCES/School of Medicine/Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
The file associated with this record is under embargo until 12 months after publication, in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. The full text may be available through the publisher links provided above.