Rapid PCR testing aids early antibiotic decision-making in pneumonia.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a significant burden in healthcare, and optimizing antibiotic use is crucial for effective management. Syndromic multiplex PCR (mPCR) increased the appropriateness of antibiotic therapy at day 0 (47% vs. 24%, P = 0.01) but did not reduce the overall duration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. While the trial highlights the potential of rapid diagnostics to improve initial therapy decisions for HAP, it was prematurely terminated and failed to show a reduction in antibiotic duration. mPCR can improve early antibiotic appropriateness in HAP but may not reduce overall antibiotic exposure.
Authors: Kernéis S, Canouï E, Deconinck L, Dlela M, Valade S, Lortat-Jacob B, Ollivier C, Kardas-Sloma L, Charpentier J, Loubinoux J, Pilmis B, Mizrahi A, Lepeule R, Decousser JW, Berçot B, Poyart C, Lescure FX, Montravers P, Azoulay E, Durand-Zaleski I, Abdoul H, Timsit JF, Armand-Lefevre L, SHARP study group, SHARP study group
Citation: Kernéis S, Canouï E, Deconinck L, et al. PCR-based syndromic tests for antibiotic stewardship in non-ventilated patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia: a multicentre randomized controlled trial. JAC-antimicrobial resistance. 2026;8(4):dlag154. doi:10.1093/jacamr/dlag154
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