Why is FebriDx® Important?
- Common acute respiratory infections, such as influenza, colds, pharyngitis, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and otitis media, are the most common reason for doctor visits and antibiotic prescriptions.
- The symptoms and course of bacterial and viral infections are similar. Therefore, clinical diagnosis of whether the infection is viral or bacterial is difficult.
- Differential diagnosis of bacterial infections and the use of antibiotics in the appropriate patient are critical.
- Most acute respiratory infections are viral. However, in cases where rapid differential diagnosis cannot be made, unnecessary antibiotic use may occur. With the FebriDx differential diagnosis, unnecessary antibiotic use has decreased by 80%.
Differential Diagnosis Enhanced with Two Biomarkers
- FebriDx® contains two important infection biomarkers in combination in differential diagnosis.
- FebriDx® has 91% sensitivity and 92% specificity, enhanced by CRP and MxA biomarkers.
- 99% Negative Predictive Value (NPV) reliably distinguishes bacterial infection.
Why Does FebriDx® Use Two Biomarkers Together?
- CRP is the acute phase inflammatory protein. It increases rapidly, especially in bacterial infections. MxA is a specific viral marker. If the infection is viral, it increases rapidly in the acute phase as a response of the immune system.
- CRP or MxA alone is not sensitive or specific enough to distinguish viral infection from bacterial infections.
- Although low CRP increases the possibility of viral infection, bacterial infections cannot be completely excluded.
- Although high CRP levels are considered a sign of bacterial infection, there is a possibility of viral infection.
- MxA is specific to viral infections only. MxA does not increase in bacterial infections.
