Multiplex real-time PCR for detection of respiratory tract infections.
BACKGROUND
Broad diagnostics of respiratory infection by molecular assays has not yet won acceptance due to technical difficulties and high costs.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical applicability of multiplex real-time PCR.


METHODS
An assay targeting influenza virus A (IfA) and B (IfB), parainfluenza 1-3 (PIV), human metapneumovirus (MPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (RV), enterovirus (EV), adenovirus (AdV), human coronaviruses (229E, OC43, NL63), M. pneumoniae and Ch. pneumoniae was developed and run daily on consecutive clinical nasopharyngeal swab samples.


RESULTS
An etiology was identified in 48% of the 954 samples, with IfA in 25%, RV in 20%, MPV in 10% and M. pneumoniae in 10% of the positive. By a rational procedure costs could be reduced and the customer price set relatively low (euro33 per sample).


CONCLUSIONS
Streamlined testing and cost limitation is achievable and probably critical for implementation of a broad molecular diagnostics of respiratory infections.
Brittain-Long
Robin
R
Department of Infection, the Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, 416 85 Göteborg, Sweden. Robin.bl@telia.com <Robin.bl@telia.com>
Nord
Sandra
S
Olofsson
Sigvard
S
Westin
Johan
J
Anderson
Lars-Magnus
LM
Lindh
Magnus
M
D006801:Humans; D010614:Pharynx / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*