[Multiplex PCR for moderate to severe acute lower respiratory tract infections]

Cantos J, Pichon Riviere A, Alfie V, Perelli L, Mejia J, Garcia Marti S, Augustovski F, Bardach A, Alcaraz A, Ciapponi A
Record ID 32018012839
Spanish
Original Title: PCR multiplex en infecciones respiratorias agudas bajas moderadas a severas
Authors' recommendations: "Conclusions Moderate quality evidence shows that routine use of multiplex PCR to guide treatment in adult immunocompetent patients with severe or moderate acute lower tract infections has a minor net benefit. This benefit consists in shorter time to attaining results and better diagnostic yield, which might result in a reduction of the use and length of antibiotic therapy. However, routine use of multiplex PCR has not shown it reduces hospital mortality, mortality at 30 days or length of hospitalization in this group of patients. Most of the clinical practice guidelines prepared for this disease do not recommend or mention including this technology. Only one clinical practice guideline suggests including it as a conditional recommendation and based on very poor quality evidence. Multiplex PCR is covered by the health policies of only two Latin American countries. In high-income countries, only the United States and France cover them. In Argentina, this technology is not included in the Mandatory Medical Program and cannot be reimbursed through the Unique Reimbursement Program for Disease Management. From the economic point of view, although some studies have been found indicating that introducing multiplex PCR might result in savings related to reducing hospital costs, these studies have been conducted in high-income countries and exclusively with pediatric population. So far, there are no cost-effectiveness studies assessing this type of tests in an adult population carried out in Argentina or in other countries of the region. Therefore, the conclusion is that the cost-effectiveness of this technology is uncertain."
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2023
URL for published report: https://ets.iecs.org.ar/publication/2126
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Argentina
MeSH Terms
  • Respiratory Tract Infections
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Diagnosis, Differential
Contact
Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy
Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA
Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar
Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar
Copyright: <p>Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)</p>
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