• Laura M Vos, Jesper M Weehuizen, Hoepelman Andy I M AIM Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands., Karin H A H Kaasjager, Annelies Riezebos-Brilman, and Jan Jelrik Oosterheert.
• Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: l.m.vos-6@umcutrecht.nl.
• J. Clin. Virol. 2019 Jul 1; 116: 11-17.

BackgroundImmunocompromised adults are more vulnerable to a complicated course of viral respiratory tract infections (RTI).ObjectivesProvide evidence on the effect of implementation of rapid molecular diagnostics for viruses on use of in-hospital isolation facilities, oseltamivir and antibiotic usage, and other clinical outcomes in immunocompromised patients.Study DesignA before-after study during two consecutive respiratory viral seasons, including immunocompromised adult patients presenting at a tertiary care emergency department with clinical suspicion of RTI. During the first season (2016/2017), respiratory viruses were detected using inhouse real-time PCR. The second season (2017/2018), we implemented a diagnostic flowchart including a rapid molecular test for 15 respiratory viruses (FilmArray®). We assessed the effect of this implementation on need for isolation, antivirals and empirical antibiotics.ResultsWe included 192 immunocompromised adult patients during the first and 378 during the second season. Respiratory viral testing was performed in 135 patients (70%) during the first and 284 (75%) during the second season (p = 0.218) of which 213 (75%) using the rapid test. After implementation, use of in-hospital isolation facilities was reduced (adjusted odds ratio 0.35, 95%CI 0.19-0.64). Furthermore, adequate use of oseltamivir improved, with fewer prescriptions in influenza negative patients (0.15, 95%CI 0.08-0.28) and more in influenza positive patients (11.13, 95%CI 1.75-70.86). No effect was observed on empirical antibiotic use, hospital admissions, length of hospital stay or safety outcomes.ConclusionsImplementation of rapid molecular testing for respiratory viruses in adult immunocompromised patients results in more adequate use of oseltamivir and in-hospital isolation facilities without compromising safety.Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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