Rapid Molecular BCID Panel Test (BioFire FilmArray)

Rapid Molecular BCID Panel Test (Biofire Filmarray)

It is a panel of tests done to find the infectious agent responsible for causing blood stream infections (BSI).This test is also called rapid molecular blood culture identification (BCID) panel test.

Blood stream infection is a potentially serious infection in which viable infectious agents such as bacteria and fungi are present in blood demonstrated by positive blood culture test. This infection leads to inflammatory response in the body causing various clinical signs and symptoms. This infection of blood stream is also called SEPSIS. Sepsis can damage any organ of the body such as brain, lungs, kidney, heart and liver. This blood stream infection can occur in:

• People with healthy immune system
• People with natural low immunity like children, old age people and pregnant women
• People with medical conditions predisposing to blood stream infections like diabetes, malignancy, HIV infection and infection of different organs like pneumonia, meningitis, appendicitis or urinary tract infection.

The common symptoms associated with blood stream infection are:

• Fever with chills
• Rapid shallow breathing
• Confusion
• Rapid heart beat
• Nausea/vomiting
• Decreased urine output
• Weakness/fatigue
• Cold skin

Why is Rapid molecular BCID panel test prescribed?

The health care provider may order this film array test in those patients diagnosed with blood stream infection (positive blood culture) in order to find the etiological agent responsible for the disease. This helps in providing prompt and appropriate treatment, thus preventing severe morbidity and mortality. The advantages of this test are:

• Quick result
• High sensitivity
• Shorten hospital stay
• Reduce cost of treatment
• Reduction in unnecessary antibiotic use

What are the components of biofire film array test?

It is syndrome test that targets the following:

Bacteria-streptococcus spp,streptococcus agalactiae(group B), listeria monocytogenes, S.pyogenes(group A),enterococcus spp,staphylococcus,S.aureus,S.pneumoniae,A.baumannii,Enterobacteriaceae,Enterobacter

Procedure and prerequisites

This test uses multiplex PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology to quickly find out etiological agent of blood stream infection in a particular patient. This test is done on blood samples of a patient showing positive blood culture test. Positive blood culture means infectious agents are found in blood sample. The sample for BCID panel test is taken from blood by inserting a small needle into vein of patients arm .A small amount of blood is then collected in a test tube or vial. There may be a little pain due to needle prick.