title: Comparison of four multiplex PCR assays for the detection of viral pathogens in respiratory specimens.
abstract: Multiplex PCR has become the test of choice for the detection of multiple respiratory viruses in clinical specimens. However, there are few direct comparisons of different PCR assays. This study compares 4 different multiplex PCR assays for the recovery of common respiratory viruses. We tested 213 respiratory specimens using four different multiplex PCR assays: the xTAG respiratory viral panel fast (Abbott Molecular Laboratories), Fast-track Respiratory Pathogen assay (Fast-track Diagnostics), Easyplex respiratory pathogen 12 kit (Ausdiagnostics), and an in-house multiplex real-time PCR assay. The performance of the four assays was very similar, with 93-100% agreement for all comparisons. Other issues, such as through-put, technical requirements and cost, are likely to be as important for making a decision about which of these assays to use given their comparative performance.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Trevor P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Anja M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Werno
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barratt
authors.forename: Patalee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mahagamasekera
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.forename: Lance C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Jennings
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*