Respiratory tract infection is one of the most frequent and fatal infections in the geriatric population. Long-term Care Facilities (LTCF) residents are prone to infection because of the decrease in their immunity, their impaired cognitive function, frailty, congregated setting, the kinds of medication taken, and the presence of many underlying factors like diabetes or kidney disease.

In addition, the majority of these patients usually have atypical presentations of respiratory infection causing under-diagnosing and increased spreading of the infection, which makes then the identification of the infected patient the most important factor for the prevention of transmission of the virus/bacteria to then initiate treatment when necessary.

The respiratory symptoms are usually non-specific to the agent causing the infection; recent studies have reported higher rates of co-infection between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens than previously reported. In some cases, as many as 20% of COVID-19 patients have coinfections with another respiratory virus. For more info visit our COVID-19 hub.

Because respiratory symptoms are similar and overlapping, a syndromic panel can provide fast, comprehensive answers and take the guesswork out of choosing which pathogens to test for.

Our respiratory panel #MPR2: Respiratory Profile 2-IVD + SARS PCR, using the Biofire FilmArray, provides comprehensive testing for 22 targets: 4 bacteria and 18 viruses including SAR-CoV-2.

The MRP2 panel includes the following tests:
• M100 ADENOVIRUS   • M101 CORONAVIRUS 229E  • M102 CORONAVIRUS HKU1  • M103 CORONAVIRUS NL63
• M104 CORONAVIRUS OC43  • M105 HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS  • M106 HUM.RHINO/ENTEROVIRUS
• M107 INFLUENZA A H1-2009  • M108 INFLUENZA B  • M109 PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS 1
• M110 PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS 2  • M111 PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS 3  • M112 PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS 4
• M113 RESP. SYNCTIAL VIRUS  • M114 BORDETELLA PARAPERTUSSIS  • M115 BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS/ptxP
• M116 CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE  • M117 MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE  • M118 INFLUENZA A  • M119 INFLUENZA A H1
• M120 INFLUENZA A H3  • M121 INFLUENZA A (NO SUBTYPE)  • MSC2 SEVERE ACUTE RESP. SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2

As well, nursing homes benefit from the usage of such respiratory panel testing due to:

  • Faster times for identification of pathogens;
  • Easier detection of the virus/bacteria responsible for the infection;
  • Reduction in unnecessary testing like chest x-rays by as much as 19%;
  • Improved use of isolation rooms, and a reduction in time to isolation;

As well, the CDC estimates that more than 50% of the outpatient prescriptions for acute respiratory conditions are unnecessary, contributing to increased levels of antibiotic resistance. The use of the respiratory panel has been shown to reduce antibiotic use by identifying respiratory viruses, allowing for more appropriate treatment with antivirals and less antibiotic use.

In the past few months, non-SAR-CoV-2 pathogens have started to become more prevalent, thus further highlighting the importance of healthcare providers using syndromic testing during the pandemic.

Clients can order #MRP2 through our online web portal. Specimen requirements for the panel include a nasopharyngeal swab.

– Dr. Rita Khoury


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