Diagnostic value of the Biofire® Filmarray Pneumonia panel compared to conventional sputum culture in patients with an exacerbation of bronchiectasis

<b>Introduction:</b> The identification of the etiological agent of bronchiectasis exacerbations (BE) is primordial in order to administrate a proper treatment. Multiplex PCR panels, like BioFire® FilmArray Pneumonia panel (FAPN), are more rapid and sensitive compared to routine cultures in patients with community acquired pneumonia, but the evidence in BE is scarce. The aim of this study&nbsp;was to compare FAPN vs. conventional sputum culture results in patients with BE. <b>Methods:</b> We performed a prospective observational study including adult patients with BE at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. Sputum samples (1 per patient) were collected at the beginning of the BE(before antibiotic treatment) and processed for both microbiological studies(FAPN and conventional sputum culture). <b>Results:</b> 40 patients&nbsp;were included (67[18-86] years); 22(55%) females. Positive microbiological isolation was found in 15(38%) by conventional sputum culture vs 35(88%) by FAPN (Table 1). 30% of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> was underdiagnosed according to conventional sputum culture results. Therefore, the sensitivity of the FAPN method was 93%. <b>Conclusion:</b> Diagnosis using FAPN method allows obtaining quickly, safely and more sensitive results than conventional sputum culture in BE, especially <i>P. aeruginosa</i>.&nbsp;More studies are needed to find out if early detection improves the course of the disease.