Economic analysis of rapid multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing for meningitis/encephalitis in pediatric patients.

Aim: We assessed the possible economic impact of a rapid test in pediatric patients with suspected community-acquired meningitis/encephalitis.

Materials & Methods: Modeling simulated diagnosis, clinical decisions, resource use/costs of standard of care (SOC) and two cerebrospinal fluid testing strategies using FilmArray (FA), a US FDA-cleared system that provides results in approximately 1 h.

Results: Pathogens detected by FA caused approximately 75% of cases, 97% of which would be accurately diagnosed with FA.  Mean cost/case ranged from $17,599 to $22,025.  Syndromic testing is less expensive than SOC. Testing all suspected cases yielded greater savings ($3481/case) than testing only those with abnormal cerebrospinal fluid ($2157/case).

Conclusion: Greater economic benefits are achievable with syndromic testing of all cases, rather than SOC or targeted syndromic testing.