1399. A Prospective Cohort Study Regarding the Impact of Biofire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis (FA) Panel in Children with Suspected Central Nervous System Infection

Background Rapid detection of pathogens involved in central nervous system (CNS) infections could be important for the optimal patient management and overall hospitalization cost. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible benefits with the use of BioFire® FilmArray® meningitis/encephalitis (FA) panel in children with suspected CNS infection. Methods A prospective cohort study, was performed on children admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital, over a period of 1 year (April 2018–April 2019), with possible CNS infection and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis (>15 cells/mm3). For each child that FA was used for the diagnosis, an age-matched control was selected, and separate molecular CSF microbiological tests were sent according to pediatrician’s discretion. Conventional microbiological procedures were performed in all children. Length of hospital stay, duration of antimicrobials, and total cost of hospitalization were compared between groups. FA enables rapid automated cerebrospinal fluid testing for 14 common viral, bacterial and yeast pathogens that cause CNS infections. The cost was estimated according to ICD-10 diagnosis standard cost, adding additional daily hospitalization cost, FA or other molecular microbiological tests costs. Results A total of 142 children were included in the study (71 cases). The median age of cases and controls was 2.5 months (IQR: 1–72) and 2 months (IQR: 0.7–36) respectively (P = 0.157). A pathogen was detected in 38/71 (53.5%) children with the use of FA and in 16/71 (22.5%) in the control group (P < 0.001). In aseptic meningitis cases a virus was detected in 27/60 (45%) and in 11/64 (16.4%) controls (P < 0.001). Length of stay in cases and controls with aseptic meningitis was 5 days (IQR: 4–8) and 8 (IQR: 6–10) respectively (P < 0.001). The median duration of antimicrobials in cases was 4 days (IQR: 2–5.7) and 7 (IQR: 5–10) respectively (P < 0.001). The hospitalization cost was calculated in cases and controls 1,042 (IQR: 932–1372€) and 1,522 (IQR: 1,302–1,742€) respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion The use of FA was able to reduce significantly the hospitalization days and the total cost comparing to the control group in children with suspected CNS infection. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.