The article discusses the impact of multiplex PCR (mPCR) in the therapeutic management of severe bacterial pneumonia. Pneumonia is a significant health issue requiring prompt and effective treatment, and advanced, rapid, and accurate diagnostic tools are essential for selecting appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Two mPCR tests, Unyvero HPN and FilmArray Pneumonia+ Panel, have been developed to identify pathogens and their antibiotic resistance mechanisms from respiratory specimens. These tests show strong correlations with reference techniques but require careful interpretation and collaboration with microbiologists. The article reviews the performance, advantages, and limitations of these tests, emphasizing the need for standardized management and further randomized controlled trials to address unanswered questions. The use of mPCR can improve the therapeutic management of severe pneumonia by providing rapid, precise, and narrow-spectrum antibiotic therapy, but it must be used in conjunction with clinical judgment and expert advice. The article also highlights the ongoing challenges and future research directions, including the need for better understanding of resistance mechanisms and the evolution of mPCR results during treatment.The article discusses the impact of multiplex PCR (mPCR) in the therapeutic management of severe bacterial pneumonia. Pneumonia is a significant health issue requiring prompt and effective treatment, and advanced, rapid, and accurate diagnostic tools are essential for selecting appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Two mPCR tests, Unyvero HPN and FilmArray Pneumonia+ Panel, have been developed to identify pathogens and their antibiotic resistance mechanisms from respiratory specimens. These tests show strong correlations with reference techniques but require careful interpretation and collaboration with microbiologists. The article reviews the performance, advantages, and limitations of these tests, emphasizing the need for standardized management and further randomized controlled trials to address unanswered questions. The use of mPCR can improve the therapeutic management of severe pneumonia by providing rapid, precise, and narrow-spectrum antibiotic therapy, but it must be used in conjunction with clinical judgment and expert advice. The article also highlights the ongoing challenges and future research directions, including the need for better understanding of resistance mechanisms and the evolution of mPCR results during treatment.