Application of nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction respiratory and pneumonia panels in children with severe community-acquired pneumonia.

ABSTRACT: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a serious clinical concern. A lack of accurate diagnosis could hinder pathogen-directed therapeutic strategies. To solve this problem, we evaluated clinical application of nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in children with severe CAP. We prospectively enrolled 60 children with severe CAP requiring intensive care between December 2019 and November 2021 at a tertiary medical center. Nested multiplex PCR respiratory panel (RP) and pneumonia panel (PP) were performed on upper and lower respiratory tract specimens. We integrated standard-of-care tests and quantitative PCR for validation. The combination of RP, PP, and standard-of-care tests could detect at least one pathogen in 98% of cases and the mixed viral-bacterial detection rate was 65%

SUBMITTER: Yen TY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10108056 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature