Clinical Impact of Multiplex Molecular Diagnostic Testing in Children With Acute Gastroenteritis Presenting to an Emergency Department: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Multiplex molecular diagnostic panels have greatly enhanced detection of gastrointestinal pathogens. However, data on the impact of these tests on clinical and patient-centered outcomes are limited. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, stepped-wedge trial to determine the impact of multiplex molecular testing at 5 academic children's hospitals on children presenting to the emergency department with acute gastroenteritis. Caregivers were interviewed on enrollment and 7-10 days after enrollment to determine symptoms, risk factors, subsequent medical visits, and impact on family members. During the pre-intervention period, diagnostic testing was performed at the clinician's discretion . During the intervention period, multiplex molecular testing was performed on all children, with results available to clinicians. The primary outcome was return visits to a healthcare provider within 10 days of enrollment. RESULTS: Potential pathogens were identified by clinician-ordered tests in 19 of 571 (3.3%) in the pre-intervention period compared with 434 of 586 (74%) in the intervention period; clinically relevant pathogens were detected in 2.1% and 15%, respectively. In the multivariate model, the intervention was associated with a 21% reduction in the odds of any return visit (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, .70-.90) after adjusting for potential confounders. Appropriate treatment was prescribed in 11.3% compared with 19.6% during the intervention period (P = .22). CONCLUSIONS: Routine molecular multiplex testing for all children who presented to the ED with acute gastroenteritis detected more clinically relevant pathogens and led to a 21% decrease in return visits. Additional research is needed to define patients most likely to benefit from testing. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02248285.

Multicenter Evaluation of the BIOFIRE Blood Culture Identification 2 Panel for Detection of Bacteria, Yeasts, and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Positive Blood Culture Samples.

Diagnostic tools that can rapidly identify and characterize microbes growing in blood cultures are important components of clinical microbiology practice because they help to provide timely information that can be used to optimize patient management. This publication describes the bioMérieux BIOFIRE Blood Culture Identification 2 (BCID2) Panel clinical study that was submitted to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Results obtained with the BIOFIRE BCID2 Panel were compared to standard-of-care (SoC) results, sequencing results, PCR results, and reference laboratory antimicrobial susceptibility testing results to evaluate the accuracy of its performance. Results for 1,093 retrospectively and prospectively collected positive blood culture samples were initially enrolled, and 1,074 samples met the study criteria and were included in the final analyses. The BIOFIRE BCID2 Panel demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 98.9% (1,712/1,731) and an overall specificity of 99.6% (33,592/33,711) for Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and yeast targets which the panel is designed to detect. One hundred eighteen off-panel organisms, which the BIOFIRE BCID2 Panel is not designed to detect, were identified by SoC in 10.6% (114/1,074) of samples. The BIOFIRE BCID2 Panel also demonstrated an overall positive percent agreement (PPA) of 97.9% (325/332) and an overall negative percent agreement (NPA) of 99.9% (2,465/2,767) for antimicrobial resistance determinants which the panel is designed to detect. The presence or absence of resistance markers in Enterobacterales correlated closely with phenotypic susceptibility and resistance. We conclude that the BIOFIRE BCID2 Panel produced accurate results in this clinical trial.

Multicenter evaluation of the BIOFIRE Joint Infection Panel for the detection of bacteria, yeast, and AMR genes in synovial fluid samples.

The bioMérieux BIOFIRE Joint Infection (JI) Panel is a multiplex in vitro diagnostic test for the simultaneous and rapid (~1 h) detection of 39 potential pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes directly from synovial fluid (SF) samples. Thirty-one species or groups of microorganisms are included in the kit, as well as several AMR genes. This study, performed to evaluate the BIOFIRE JI Panel for regulatory clearance, provides data from a multicenter evaluation of 1,544 prospectively collected residual SF samples with performance compared to standard-of-care (SOC) culture for organisms or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing for AMR genes. The BIOFIRE JI Panel demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.9% or greater for all but six organisms and a positive percent agreement (PPA) of 100% for all AMR genes. The BIOFIRE JI Panel demonstrated a specificity of 98.5% or greater for detection of all organisms and a negative percent agreement (NPA) of 95.7% or greater for all AMR genes. The BIOFIRE JI Panel provides an improvement over SOC culture, with a substantially shorter time to result for both organisms and AMR genes with excellent sensitivity/PPA and specificity/NPA, and is anticipated to provide timely and actionable diagnostic information for joint infections in a variety of clinical scenarios.

A multicenter evaluation of viral bloodstream detections in children presenting to the Emergency Department with suspected systemic infection.

BACKGROUND: Fever is a common symptom in children presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). We aimed to describe the epidemiology of systemic viral infections and their predictive values for excluding serious bacterial infections (SBIs), including bacteremia, meningitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children presenting to the ED with suspected systemic infections. METHODS: We enrolled children who presented to the ED with suspected systemic infections who had blood cultures obtained at seven healthcare facilities. Whole blood specimens were analyzed by an experimental multiplexed PCR test for 7 viruses. Demographic and laboratory results were abstracted. RESULTS: Of the 1114 subjects enrolled, 245 viruses were detected in 224 (20.1%) subjects. Bacteremia, meningitis and UTI frequency in viral bloodstream-positive patients was 1.3, 0 and 10.1% compared to 2.9, 1.3 and 9.7% in viral bloodstream-negative patients respectively. Although viral bloodstream detections had a high negative predictive value for bacteremia or meningitis (NPV = 98.7%), the frequency of UTIs among these subjects remained appreciable (9/89, 10.1%) (NPV = 89.9%). Screening urinalyses were positive for leukocyte esterase in 8/9 (88.9%) of these subjects, improving the ability to distinguish UTI. CONCLUSIONS: Viral bloodstream detections were common in children presenting to the ED with suspected systemic infections. Although overall frequencies of SBIs among subjects with and without viral bloodstream detections did not differ significantly, combining whole blood viral testing with urinalysis provided high NPV for excluding SBI.

Multicenter Evaluation of BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2 for Detection of Viruses and Bacteria in Nasopharyngeal Swab Samples.

The FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2 (RP2) is a multiplex in vitro diagnostic test for the simultaneous and rapid (∼45-min) detection of 22 pathogens directly from nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples. It contains updated (and in some instances redesigned) assays that improve upon the FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP; version 1.7), with a faster run time. The organisms identified are adenovirus, coronavirus 229E, coronavirus HKU1, coronavirus NL63, coronavirus OC43, human metapneumovirus, human rhinovirus/enterovirus, influenza virus A, influenza virus A H1, influenza virus A H1-2009, influenza virus A H3, influenza virus B, parainfluenza virus 1, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, parainfluenza virus 4, respiratory syncytial virus, Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae Two new targets are included in the FilmArray RP2: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Bordetella parapertussis This study provides data from a multicenter evaluation of 1,612 prospectively collected NPS samples, with performance compared to that of the FilmArray RP or PCR and sequencing. The overall percent agreement between the FilmArray RP2 and the comparator testing was 99.2%. The RP2 demonstrated a positive percent agreement of 91.7% or greater for detection of all but three analytes: coronavirus OC43, B. parapertussis, and B. pertussis The FilmArray RP2 also demonstrated a negative percent agreement of ≥93.8% for all analytes. Of note, the adenovirus assay detects all genotypes, with a demonstrated increase in sensitivity. The FilmArray RP2 represents a significant improvement over the FilmArray RP, with a substantially shorter run time that could aid in the diagnosis of respiratory infections in a variety of clinical scenarios.

Retrospective Evaluation of Infants Aged 1 to 60 Days with Residual Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Tested Using the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel.

In pediatric practice it is common for infants under 2 months of age to undergo evaluation for sepsis when they are ill, often including lumbar puncture to assess for central nervous system (CNS) infection. The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) panel is a newly approved test for rapid identification of CNS pathogens. Our objective was to study the epidemiology of CNS infection in young infants and the potential impact of rapid multiplex PCR on their care. A performance evaluation of the FilmArray ME panel was conducted from February 2014 to September 2014 at 11 sites. FilmArray ME panel results were compared to reference standards but not shared with providers. In our study, medical records for infants (aged 1 to 60 days) enrolled at three sites were reviewed for clinical, laboratory, and outcome data. A total of 145 infants were reviewed. The median age was 25 days. Most of the infants were hospitalized (134/145 [92%]) and received antibiotics (123/145 [85%]), and almost half (71/145 [49%]) received acyclovir. One infant had a bacterial pathogen, likely false positive, identified by the FilmArray ME panel. Thirty-six infants (25%) had a viral pathogen detected, including 21 enteroviruses. All infants with enteroviral meningitis detected by the FilmArray ME panel and conventional PCR were hospitalized, but 20% were discharged in less than 24 h when conventional PCR results became available. The FilmArray ME panel may play a role in the evaluation of young infants for CNS infection. Results may be used to guide management, possibly resulting in a decreased length of stay and less antimicrobial exposure for infants with low-risk viral infection detected.

Multicenter Evaluation of the Portrait Staph ID/R Blood Culture Panel for Rapid Identification of Staphylococci and Detection of the mecA Gene.

Bloodstream infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and are associated with increased health care costs. We evaluated the Portrait Staph ID/R blood culture panel (BCP) multiplex PCR assay (Great Basin Scientific, Salt Lake City, UT) for the rapid and simultaneous identification (ID) of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, and Staphylococcus species to the genus level and the detection of the mecA gene directly from a positive blood culture bottle. A total of 765 Bactec bottles demonstrating Gram-positive cocci in singles or clusters were tested during the prospective trial at 3 clinical sites. The Portrait Staph ID/R BCP results were compared with results from conventional biochemical and cefoxitin disk methods performed at an independent laboratory. Discordant ID and mecA results were resolved by rpoB gene sequencing and mecA gene sequencing, respectively. A total of 658 Staphylococcus species isolates (S. aureus, 211 isolates; S. lugdunensis, 3 isolates; and Staphylococcus spp., 444 isolates) were recovered from monomicrobial and 33 polymicrobial blood cultures. After discrepant analysis, the overall ratios of Portrait Staph ID/R BCP positive percent agreement and negative percent agreement were 99.4%/99.9% for Staphylococcus ID and 99.7%/99.2% for mecA detection.

Clinical Evaluation and Cost Analysis of Great Basin Shiga Toxin Direct Molecular Assay for Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Diarrheal Stool Specimens.

The Shiga Toxin Direct molecular assay (ST Direct) relies on nucleic acid amplification and solid array-based amplicon detection to identify Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in preserved stool specimens. Genes encoding Shiga toxin (stx1 and stx2), as well as the E. coli serotype O:157-specific marker rfbE, are simultaneously detected within 2 h. ST Direct was evaluated using 1,084 prospectively collected preserved stool specimens across five clinical centers. An additional 55 retrospectively collected, frozen specimens were included to increase the number of positive specimens evaluated. Results were compared to results from routine culture and an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) specific for the recovery and identification of STEC. ST Direct was found to be 93.2% sensitive and 99.3% specific for detection of stx1 and stx2 and 95.7% sensitive and 99.3% specific for detection of E. coli serotype O:157. All specimens with false-positive results were found to contain stx1 or stx2 or were found to be positive for serotype O:157 when analyzed using alternative molecular methods. All 4 false-negative stx1 or stx2 results were reported for frozen, retrospectively tested specimens. In all cases, the specimens tested positive for stx by an alternative FDA-cleared nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) but were negative for stx1 and stx2 following nucleic acid sequence analysis. Based on these data, culture and EIA-based methods for detection of STEC are only 33% sensitive compared to molecular tests. A retrospective cost analysis demonstrated 59% of the cost of routine stool culture to be attributable to the identification of STEC. Taken together, these data suggest that ST Direct may provide a cost-effective, rapid molecular alternative to routine culture for the identification of STEC in preserved stool specimens.

Multicenter Evaluation of the Solana Group A Streptococcus Assay: Comparison with Culture.

We compared group A Streptococcus (GAS) culture with a rapid helicase-dependent amplification (HDA) method using 1,082 throat swab specimens. The HDA method demonstrated 98.2% sensitivity and 97.2% specificity. GAS prevalence by culture was 20.7%, and it was 22.6% using the HDA method. In 35 min, the HDA method provided rapid, sensitive GAS detection, making culture confirmation unnecessary.

Evaluation of the FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel: Results of a Multicenter Controlled Trial.

Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and increased medical expense. Rapid diagnosis improves outcomes and reduces costs. The FilmArray blood culture identification panel (BioFire Diagnostics LLC, Salt Lake City, UT), a highly multiplexed PCR assay, can identify 24 etiologic agents of sepsis (8 Gram-positive, 11 Gram-negative, and 5 yeast species) and three antimicrobial resistance genes (mecA, vanA/B, and blaKPC) from positive blood culture bottles. It provides results in about 1 h with 2 min for assay setup. We present the results of an eight-center trial comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the panel with those of the laboratories' standard phenotypic identification techniques, as well as with molecular methods used to distinguish Acinetobacter baumannii from other members of the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex and to detect antimicrobial resistance genes. Testing included 2,207 positive aerobic blood culture samples, 1,568 clinical and 639 seeded. Samples were tested fresh or were frozen for later testing within 8 h after the bottles were flagged as positive by an automated blood culture system. At least one organism was detected by the panel in 1,382 (88.1%) of the positive clinical specimens. The others contained primarily off-panel organisms. The panel reported multiple organisms in 81 (5.86%) positive clinical specimens. The unresolved blood culture identification sensitivity for all target detections exceeded 96%, except for Klebsiella oxytoca (92.2%), which achieved 98.3% sensitivity after resolution of an unavoidable phenotypic error. The sensitivity and specificity for vanA/B and blaKPC were 100%; those for mecA were 98.4 and 98.3%, respectively.

Multicenter Evaluation of BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel for Detection of Bacteria, Viruses, and Yeast in Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens.

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of infectious meningitis and encephalitis are critical to minimize morbidity and mortality. Comprehensive testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) often includes Gram stain, culture, antigen detection, and molecular methods, paired with chemical and cellular analyses. These methods may lack sensitivity or specificity, can take several days, and require significant volume for complete analysis. The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel is a multiplexed in vitro diagnostic test for the simultaneous, rapid (∼1-h) detection of 14 pathogens directly from CSF specimens: Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, human herpesvirus 6, human parechovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii We describe a multicenter evaluation of 1,560 prospectively collected CSF specimens with performance compared to culture (bacterial analytes) and PCR (all other analytes). The FilmArray ME Panel demonstrated a sensitivity or positive percentage of agreement of 100% for 9 of 14 analytes. Enterovirus and human herpesvirus type 6 had agreements of 95.7% and 85.7%, and L. monocytogenes and N. meningitidis were not observed in the study. For S. agalactiae, there was a single false-positive and false-negative result each, for a sensitivity and specificity of 0 and 99.9%, respectively. The specificity or negative percentage of agreement was 99.2% or greater for all other analytes. The FilmArray ME Panel is a sensitive and specific test to aid in diagnosis of ME. With use of this comprehensive and rapid test, improved patient outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship are anticipated.

Detection of Group A Streptococcus in Pharyngeal Swab Specimens by Use of the AmpliVue GAS Isothermal Helicase-Dependent Amplification Assay.

We evaluated the clinical performance (sensitivity and specificity) of the AmpliVue group A Streptococcus (GAS) isothermal helicase-dependent amplification assay using 1,192 pharyngeal swab specimens. AmpliVue GAS assay results were compared to the results of routine throat cultures on selective streptococcal blood agar plates. The sensitivity and specificity of the AmpliVue GAS assay were 98.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95 to 100%) and 93.2% (95% CI, 91 to 95%), respectively.

Evaluation of the FilmArray® Respiratory Panel for clinical use in a large children's hospital.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory pathogens are a leading cause of hospital admission and traditional detection methods are time consuming and insensitive. Multiplex molecular detection methods have recently been investigated in hope of replacing these traditional techniques with rapid panel-based testing. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the FilmArray(®) Respiratory Panel ([FARP], Idaho Technology Inc., Salt Lake City, UT) as a replacement for direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) testing in a pediatric hospital. METHODS: Eleven of the 21 FARP analytes (Adenovirus, Bordetella pertussis, human Metapneumovirus, Influenza A, Influenza A H1N1 2009, Influenza B, Parainfluenza [1, 2, & 3], Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and rhinovirus) were evaluated using nasopharyngeal specimens. Positive samples were pooled in groups of 5. Samples identified by reference methods as positive for respiratory pathogens were used for the majority of positive samples. DFA was the reference method for ten analytes; Luminex™ xTAG Respiratory Virus Panel (RVP) was the reference method for rhinovirus. Discrepant results were resolved by positive culture and fluorescent antibody stain and/or laboratory-developed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays (LDT). RESULTS: The agreement for most analytes was in concordance with the established reference methods with the exception of Adenovirus. Additionally, the FARP detected several pathogens not previously detected by DFA, and most were confirmed by LDT. Several DFA-positive analytes were confirmed as true-negatives by the FARP and LDT. CONCLUSION: FARP overall performed better than DFA with the exception of Adenovirus, making the FARP an attractive alternative to laboratories looking to replace DFA with a rapid, user-friendly, multiplex molecular assay.

Clinical Impact of Multiplex Molecular Diagnostic Testing in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis Presenting to An Emergency Department: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background: Multiplex molecular diagnostic panels have greatly enhanced detection of gastrointestinal pathogens. However, data on the impact of these tests on clinical and patient-centered outcomes are limited. Methods: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, stepped-wedge trial to determine the impact of multiplex molecular testing at five academic children's hospitals in children presenting to the ED with acute gastroenteritis. Caregivers were interviewed on enrollment and again 7-10 days after enrollment to determine symptoms, risk factors, subsequent medical visits, and impact on family members. During the pre-intervention period, diagnostic testing was performed at the discretion of clinicians. During the intervention period, multiplex molecular testing was performed on all children with results available to clinicians. Primary outcome was return visits to a health care provider within 10 days of enrollment. Results: Potential pathogens were identified by clinician ordered tests in 19/571 (3.3%) in the pre-intervention period compared to 434/586 (74%) in the intervention period; clinically relevant pathogens were detected in 2.1% and 15% respectively. In the multivariate model adjusting for potential confounders, the intervention was associated with a 21% reduction in the odds of any return visit (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.70-0.90). Appropriate treatment was prescribed in 11.3% compared to 19.6% during the intervention period(P=0.22). Conclusions: Routine molecular multiplex testing for all children presenting to the ED with AGE detected more clinically relevant pathogens and led to a 21% decrease in return visits. Additional research is needed to define patients most likely to benefit from testing.

Evolving epidemiologic characteristics of invasive group a streptococcal disease in Utah, 2002-2010.

BACKGROUND: Invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Recent national surveillance data report stable rates of invasive GAS disease, although these may not capture geographic variation. METHODS: We performed a population-based, retrospective laboratory surveillance study of invasive GAS disease among Utah residents from 2002-2010. We used Intermountain Healthcare's electronic medical records and data warehouse to identify patients from whom GAS was isolated by culture. We defined clinical syndromes of invasive GAS disease on the basis of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. We abstracted demographic information, comorbidities, and microbiologic and laboratory findings. RESULTS: From 2002-2010, we identified 1514 cases of invasive GAS disease among Utah residents. The estimated mean annual incidence rate was 6.3 cases/100,000 persons, which was higher than the national rate of 3.6 cases/100,000 (P < .01). The incidence of invasive GAS disease in Utah rose from 3.5 cases/100,000 persons in 2002 to 9.8 cases/100,000 persons in 2010 (P = .01). Among children aged <18 years, the incidence of invasive GAS increased from 3.0 cases/100,000 children in 2002 to 14.1 cases/100,000 children in 2010 (P < .01). The increase in the pediatric population was due, in part, to an increase in GAS pneumonia (P = .047). The rate of invasive GAS disease in adults aged 18-64 years increased from 3.4 cases/100 000 persons in 2002 to 7.6 cases/100,000 persons in 2010 (P = .02). Rates among those aged ≥65 years were stable. The incidence of acute rheumatic fever declined from 6.1 to 3.7 cases/100,000 (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiologic characteristics of invasive GAS disease in Utah has changed substantially over the past decade, including a significant increase in the overall incidence of invasive disease-driven primarily by increasing disease in younger persons-that coincided temporally with a decrease in the incidence of acute rheumatic fever.

Multicenter clinical evaluation of the portrait toxigenic C. difficile assay for detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile strains in clinical stool specimens.

We compared the Portrait Toxigenic C. difficile Assay, a new semiautomated sample-to-result molecular test, to a toxigenic bacterial culture/cell cytotoxin neutralization assay (TBC/CCNA) for the detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile in 549 stool specimens. Stool specimens were also tested by one of three alternative FDA-cleared molecular tests for toxigenic C. difficile (Xpert C. difficile, Illumigene C. difficile, or GeneOhm Cdiff). The sensitivities and specificities of the molecular tests compared to TBC/CCNA were as follows: 98.2% and 92.8% for the Portrait assay, 100% and 91.7% for the Xpert assay, 93.3% and 95.1% for the Illumigene assay, and 97.4% and 98.5% for the GeneOhm assay, respectively. The majority of Portrait false-positive results (20/31; 64.5%) were also positive for C. difficile by an alternative molecular test, suggesting an increased sensitivity compared to the culture-based "gold standard" method. The Portrait test detected an assay input of 30 CFU in 100% of spiked samples and detected an input of 10 CFU in 96.7% of samples tested.

Increasing incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease in adults, Utah, USA.

Since the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, the incidence of invasive H. influenzae type b disease among children has fallen dramatically, but the effect on invasive H. influenzae disease among adults may be more complex. In this population-based study we examined the epidemiology and outcomes of invasive disease caused by typeable and nontypeable H. influenzae among Utah adults during 1998-2008. The overall incidence increased over the study period from 0.14/100,000 person-years in 1998 to 1.61/100,000 person-years in 2008. The average incidence in persons >65 years old was 2.74/100,000 person-years, accounting for 51% of cases and 67% of deaths. The incidence was highest for nontypeable H. influenzae (0.23/100,000 person-years), followed by H. influenzae type f (0.14/100,000 person-years). The case-fatality rate was 22%. The incidence of invasive H. influenzae in Utah adults appears to be increasing. Invasive H. influenzae infection disproportionately affected the elderly and was associated with a high mortality rate.

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease in Utah children: an 11-year population-based study in the era of conjugate vaccine.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae infection decreased dramatically since the introduction of the H. influenzae serotype b (Hib) conjugate vaccine. H. influenzae invasive disease continues to occur and cause significant morbidity and mortality in children aged <5 years. We aimed to report the epidemiology and serotypes of invasive H. influenzae disease in children from Utah in the post-Hib vaccine era. METHODS: We identified all cases of invasive H. influenzae disease, defined as H. influenzae isolated from a sterile site, during the period 1998-2008 among children aged <18 years who were living in Utah. RESULTS: We identified 91 cases of invasive H. influenzae disease in children. Children aged <5 years accounted for 78 cases (86%). H. influenzae serotype a (Hia) was the most common serotype (22 cases), representing 28% of all cases of invasive disease among children aged <5 years. The majority (15 cases [93%]) of Hib disease cases occurred among children aged <5 years and accounted for 18% of all cases of H. influenzae invasive disease in this age group. The mean incidence of Hia disease increased from 0.8 cases per 100,000 child-years in 1998 to 2.6 cases per 100,000 child-years in 2008. The incidence of Hib disease among children aged <5 years remained steady at 0.5 cases per 100,000 child-years. Bacteremia accounted for 61% of all cases of invasive disease. One-half (13 of 26) of cases of H. influenzae meningitis were due to Hia. CONCLUSIONS: H. influenzae continues to cause invasive disease in Utah children. Hia is the primary cause of the overall increased incidence of invasive H. influenzae disease and leads to disease similar to Hib. Isolated cases of Hib disease demonstrate a continued reservoir. The success of the Hib conjugate vaccine may therefore be vulnerable to vaccine shortages and refusal of vaccination.

Molecular epidemiology of pediatric pneumococcal empyema from 2001 to 2007 in Utah.

Utah had a high rate of pediatric pneumococcal empyema (PPE) prior to licensure of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in 2000. The majority (62%) of PPE cases was due to nonvaccine serotypes, primarily Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1, multilocus sequence type (MLST) 227. PPE in Utah children has increased over the last decade. It is unclear whether the increase was due to serotype replacement or switch. In this study, we describe the incidence and molecular epidemiology of PPE by MLST in Utah children after the licensure of PCV-7. Empyema rates increased from 8.5/100,000 children in the state of Utah in 2001 to 12.5/100,000 children in 2007 (P = 0.006). Ninety-eight percent was due to nonvaccine serotypes (P < 0.001 when compared to the pre-PCV-7 period). PPE was primarily due to serotypes 1, 3, 19A, and 7F, with MLST demonstrating sequence types (ST) that were commonly present in the United States prior to licensure of PCV-7. Serotype switch was not documented. Replacement disease with common ST of serotypes 1,3, 7F, and 19A rather than serotype switch was responsible for the increase in PPE in Utah children.

Clindamycin-resistant group B Streptococcus and failure of intrapartum prophylaxis to prevent early-onset disease.

Guidelines recommend intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for parturient women who have a screen positive for group B Streptococcus (GBS). Clindamycin should be used for IAP only if the maternal GBS isolate is susceptible. We report a case of clindamycin-resistant GBS disease in a newborn infant whose mother received clindamycin IAP, and we review clindamycin susceptibility testing.