Clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of bacterial 16S rRNA and targeted PCR based diagnostic testing in a UK microbiology laboratory network

Abstract

16S ribosomal-ribonucleic acid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and targeted PCR aid microbiological diagnosis in culture-negative clinical samples. Despite routine clinical use, there remains a paucity of data on their effectiveness across a variety of clinical sample types, and cost-effectiveness. In this 4 year multicentre retrospective observational study, all clinical samples referred for 16S PCR and/or targeted PCR from a laboratory network serving seven London hospitals were identified. Laboratory, clinical, prescribing, and economic variables were analysed. 78/607 samples were 16S PCR positive; pus samples were most frequently positive (29/84; p < 0.0001), and CSF least (8/149; p = 0.003). 210/607 samples had targeted PCR (361 targets requested across 23 organisms) with 43/361 positive; respiratory samples (13/37; p = 0.01) had the highest detection rate. Molecular diagnostics provided a supportive microbiological diagnosis for 21 patients and a new diagnosis for 58. 14/91 patients with prescribing information available and a positive PCR result had antimicrobial de-escalation. For culture-negative samples, mean cost-per-positive 16S PCR result was £568.37 and £292.84 for targeted PCR, equating to £4041.76 and £1506.03 respectively for one prescription change. 16S PCR is more expensive than targeted PCR, with both assisting in microbiological diagnosis but uncommonly enabling antimicrobial change. Rigorous referral pathways for molecular tests may result in significant fiscal savings.

Figure 1

Sample referral and outcome for 16S rRNA PCR and targeted PCR, and number of samples referred with a culture positive result at a London NHS laboratory network, April 2015 and April 2019. abbreviations: ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Figure 2

Positive results for 16S rRNA PCR, targeted PCR and microbiological culture among 607 samples referred for molecular diagnostics at a London NHS laboratory network, April 2015 and April 2019. abbreviations: ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Figure 3

(a) Positive results by 16S rRNA PCR and microbiological culture by sample type at a London NHS laboratory network, April 2015 and April 2019. Abbreviations: ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). (b) Positive results by 16S rRNA PCR and targeted PCR by sample type at a London NHS laboratory network, April 2015 and April 2019. Abbreviations: ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). (c) Positive results by targeted PCR and microbiological culture by sample type at a London NHS laboratory network, April 2015 and April 2019. Abbreviations: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).