A novel host-protein assay outperforms routine parameters for distinguishing between bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections

Bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are often clinically indistinguishable, leading to antibiotic overuse. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of a new assay that combines three host-biomarkers (TRAIL, IP-10, CRP) with parameters in routine use to distinguish bacterial from viral LRTIs. Study cohort included 184 potentially eligible pediatric and adult patients. Reference standard diagnosis was based on adjudication by an expert panel following comprehensive clinical and laboratory investigation (including respiratory PCRs).

Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 24, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Michal Stein, Shelly Lipman-Arens, Kfir Oved, Asi Cohen, Ellen Bamberger, Roy Navon, Olga Boico, Tom Friedman, Liat Etshtein, Meital Paz, Tanya M. Gottlieb, Or Kriger, Yura Fonar, Ester Pri-Or, Renata Yacobov, Yaniv Dotan, Amit Hochberg, Moti Grupper, Iri Source Type: research