Table 4 Comparison of cost-per-positive (£) by sample type for targeted PCR positive results at a London NHS laboratory network, April 2015 and April 2019.

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

Sample referred

Number sent

Cost(£)/positive targeted PCR

Cost(£)/positive targeted PCR and negative culture

Pus

18

317.94

317.94

CSF

62

410.67

410.67

Tissue/Biopsy Culture

49

324.56

370.93

Joint Fluid

40

264.95

302.80

Pleural Fluid

31

182.52

182.52

Bronchial Alveolar Lavage

6

79.49

79.49

Other

4

N/A

N/A

All samples

210

278.20

292.84

  1. Abbreviations: ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).
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