Diasorin: Overcoming a Major Challenge in the ED: Rapid Bacterial-Viral Discrimination in the Workup of Suspected Acute Infection and Sepsis

Monday, September 30
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Location: Exhibit Hall, Expert Theater 1

Speakers

David M. Engman, MD, PhD Chairman of Pathology Emeritus; Sam Torbati, MD Chairman of Emergency Medicine; Mark Cichon, DO Chairperson Emeritus of Emergency Medicine; David B. Hale, MD, PhD Director of Emergency Medicine & Associate Chief Medical Officer

Theater Information

Difficulties discriminating between bacterial and viral etiology in acute infection or suspected sepsis can lead to diagnostic uncertainty, delays in patient management, and inappropriate use of antibiotics. In this Expert Theater, we will review recent advances in the development and validation of a rapid host immune response assay for bacterial-viral discrimination. This test incorporates the serum levels of biomarkers TRAIL, IP-10 and CRP and utilizes a machine-learning-derived algorithm to combine all three measurements into a robust score. The test relies on the broad molecular differences in host immunity in response to these two classes of pathogens to indirectly distinguish between them, rather than to identify the pathogen directly. As a result, important treatment decisions, including whether to prescribe antibiotics, can be made quickly and effectively. Case studies will be presented illustrating the value of this novel test. Finally, we will have a wide-ranging analysis of the challenges posed by patients with suspected acute infections including a discussion of clinical situations in which bacterial-viral discrimination can be useful for clinical management, diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, and antimicrobial stewardship.