1022. Evaluating the Impact of GenMark Dx ePlex® Blood Culture Identification (BCID) on Gram-negative Bloodstream Infections

Abstract

Background. The GenMark Dx ePlex BCID Gram-Negative (GN) panel utilizes electrowetting technology to detect the most common causes of GN bacteremia (21 targets) and 6 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes from positive blood culture (BC) bottles. Rapid detection of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL: CTX-M & carbapenemases: KPC, NDM, IMP, VIM, OXA 23/48), and highly resistant bacteria such as S. maltophilia should enable early optimization of antimicrobial therapy. Methods. In this prospective study, aliquots of positive BC bottles with GN bacteria detected on Gram stain (GS) (n=108) received standard of care (SOC) culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Additionally, samples were evaluated with the BCID-GN panel but only SOC results were reported in the EMR and available to inform clinical decisions. Chart reviews were performed to evaluate the impact of the BCID-GN panel on the time to organism identification, AST results, and optimization of antimicrobial therapy. Results. A total of 108 patients are included in the analysis (Table 1). Escherichia coli was the most common bacteria identified followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species (Table 2). There were 11 (10.2%) polymicrobial bacteremias. Repeat BCs were obtained in 68 (63%) patients of which 13 (19%) were persistently positive. Eight (7%) patients had evidence of additional gram-positive (GP) pathogens. Organism identification occurred 26.7 hours faster than culture. In conjunction with GS, negative pan-GP marker data could have helped providers make the decision to remove GP antibiotic coverage in 63 (58%) patients. Narrowing from empiric meropenem could have occurred in 5 patients. Of 10 individuals infected with resistant isolates (1 S. maltophilia, 1 OXA 23/48, and 8 CTXM) empiric therapy was ineffective in 4 (40%) cases. Optimization of antimicrobial therapy for 9 (8.3%) patients could have occurred an average of 52.4 hours earlier than standard methods. Conclusion. The BCID-GN panel enabled earlier time to optimal treatment of highly resistant bacteria as well as multiple opportunities for narrowing gram negative spectrum and a higher degree of certainty in cessation of broad-spectrum gram-positive antibiotics.