Evaluation of a commercial multiplex real-time PCR panel for identification environmental water antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hemoculture bottles
Authors:   Department of Microbiology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand., Thongdee Pimwan , Narongdej Putt ,   Department of Microbiology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand, Wongthai Passara ,   Department of Microbiology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand, Nitchaphanit Sirachat ,   Department of Microbiology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand, Chuenchom Kasidach ,   Department of Biology, School of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand., Krataipech Kanlaya ,   Department of Biology, School of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand, Raksatham Jantima ,   Department of Biology, School of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand, Peerapongpaisarn Dutsadee ,   Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand, Oransathit Wilawan ,   Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand., Ruekit Sirigade ,   Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand., Ruamsap Nattaya ,   Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand, Juntanawiwat Piraporn ,   Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, Lertsethtakarn Paphavee ,   Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand., Narongroeknawin Pongthorn ,   Department of Microbiology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand., Boonsiri Tanit ,   Department of Microbiology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
Published: December 2024

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health problem worldwide, and it is increasing, especially in developed and developing countries, including Thailand. Sepsis is a crisis and emergency causing the death of patients with a high mortality rate of 1 in 5 of the global population. Using inappropriate antimicrobial drugs to treat infections increases the chance of drug resistance in the microorganisms, and precise and rapid treatment is essential for patient management.

Objective: This cooperative study aims to evaluate a commercial multiplex real-time PCR panel, QIAstat-Dx BCID GN Plus AMR Panel, to detect antimicrobial-resistant genes in the bloodstream.

Materials and methods: Thirty bacterial samples were used to simulate bloodstream infections. The comparison between the QIAstat-Dx BCID GN Plus AMR Panel and the conventional PCR method was revealed.

Results: Both methods gave concordant results for 12 samples, while results for 15 were discordant. Three samples could not be detected using the QIAstat-Dx BCID GN Plus AMR Panel because ebc gene is not included. The QIAstat-Dx BCID GN Plus AMR Panel revealed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 91.50%, 93.30%, 74.10%, and 98.50%, respectively.

Conclusion: The study indicated that the QIAstat-Dx BCID GN Plus AMR Panel Cartridge can detect common antimicrobial-resistant genes from the bloodstream. However, additional resistant genes should be included in the panel to cover various highly prevalent antimicrobial-resistant genes based on geographical location.