title: Simultaneous single-tube PCR-based assay for the direct identification of the five most common meningococcal serogroups from clinical samples.
abstract: This study presents a stepdown multiplex PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of the five most common Neisseria meningitidis serogroups (A, B, C, W-135 and Y) in 530 clinical samples obtained from 428 patients (271 blood and 259 cerebrospinal fluid). The sensitivity and the specificity was calculated to 100% [positive predictive value 100% (95%, CI 99.0-100%) and negative predictive value 100% (95% CI 99.0-100%)]. The overall effectiveness permits the rapid, accurate and inexpensive detection of the five most prevalent meningococcal serogroups in clinical samples. It is potentially a valuable tool for diagnosis and epidemiological monitoring of disease due to N. meningitidis.
authors.affiliation: National Meningitis Reference Laboratory, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Zacharoula
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Drakopoulou
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kesanopoulos
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sioumala
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tambaki
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kremastinou
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tzanakaki
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity