FilmArray Respiratory Panel Integrated in a field Point Of Care dispositive for the diagnosis of respiratory tract infections in rural areas in Senegal

Hubert Bassene; Sophie Edouard; Georges Diatta; Jean Christophe Lagier; Oleg Mediannikov; Florence Fenollar; Aldiouma Diallo; El Hadji Ba; Didier Raoult; Philippe Parola; Michel Drancourt; Cheikh Sokhna

From February to August 2017, we collected nasal swabs from febrile patients that presented 23 symptoms of respiratory tract infections in three health posts located in Niakhar. Specimens 24 were tested on site by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), using the FilmArray 25 respiratory panel® that targets 20 pathogens, including 17 virus and 3 bacteria (bioMérieux). 26 Nasal swabs were collected from 113 patients. The median age was 4 years (ranging from 4 27 months to 60 years) and 51 (45%) were males. The prevalence of respiratory pathogens was it possible to carry out RDTs to confirm the clinician's diagnosis and allow rapid management 47 of the patient. In the current situation, the time required to achieve results is often very long 48 for patients. In this study, we sought to demonstrate the significant contribution of the 49 FilmArray respiratory panel in the management of respiratory tract infections in rural areas. 50 We also wanted to reduce the time it takes to deliver results in order to improve patient care.