title: Automation of a fluorescence-based multiplex PCR for the laboratory confirmation of common bacterial pathogens.
abstract: A fluorescence-based multiplex PCR was automated for the simultaneous detection of Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in clinical samples from patients with suspected meningitis. Sensitivity of one to two genome copies per 100 microl sample and specificity of 100% for each organism were shown. Automation of DNA extraction, liquid handling, PCR and analysis are achieved on a single platform, which enables a high throughput and rapid turnaround of clinical samples that, in turn, leads to faster diagnosis. This is ultimately beneficial to the treatment of the patient and for public health management.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Meningococcus and Pneumococcus Reference Laboratory, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK 2Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Scottish Meningococcus and Pneumococcus Reference Laboratory, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK 2Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Mathew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Diggle
authors.affiliation: Scottish Meningococcus and Pneumococcus Reference Laboratory, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK 2Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Stuart C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001331:Automation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005453:Fluorescence; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial