Assessment of the Usefulness of Multiplex Real-Time PCR Tests in the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Process of Pneumonia in Hospitalized Children: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

The aim of the study was assessment of the usefulness of multiplex real-time PCR tests in the diagnostic and therapeutic process in children hospitalized due to pneumonia and burdened with comorbidities. Methods. The study group included 97 children hospitalized due to pneumonia at the Karol Jonscher Teaching Hospital in Poznań, in whom multiplex real-time PCR tests (FTD respiratory pathogens 33; fast-track diagnostics) were used. Results. Positive test results of the test were achieved in 74 patients (76.3%). The average age in the group was 56 months. Viruses were detected in 61 samples (82% of all positive results); bacterial factors were found in 29 samples (39% of all positive results). The presence of comorbidities was established in 90 children (92.78%). On the basis of the obtained results, 5 groups of patients were established: viral etiology of infection, 34 patients; bacterial etiology, 7 patients; mixed etiology, 23 patients; pneumocystis, 9 patients; and no etiology diagnosed, 24 patients. Conclusions. Our analysis demonstrated that the participation of viruses in causing severe lung infections is significant in children with comorbidities. Multiplex real-time PCR tests proved to be more useful in establishing the etiology of pneumonia in hospitalized children than the traditional microbiological examinations.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children: the Challenges of Microbiological Diagnosis

“…As with viral diagnostics, the use of PCR is a major development in the detection of respiratory bacterial pathogens. In fact, multiplex PCRs for throat and nasal swabs that include a panel of viruses as well as bacterial pathogens (e.g., Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Bordetella pertussis ) are now being used to increase etiological yield in CAP ( 34 ). The employment of this technology has revealed high rates of bacterial and viral coinfection, the significance of which is a source of ongoing investigation, in the pediatric setting in particular.…”

Assessment of the multiplex PCR-based assay Unyvero pneumonia application for detection of bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in children and neonates

“…On the other hand, inappropriate antimicrobial therapy contributes to longer hospitalization and even higher mortality [13,14]. Therefore, rapid molecular diagnostics, e.g., based on genetic testing, that yield quick, but also reliable results, are increasing in importance, both for viral [15][16][17][18] and for bacterial etiology [18][19][20]. The Unyvero P50 Pneumonia application, developed by Curetis AG (Holzgerlingen, Germany), is a multiplex PCR-based assay that has been CE marked and approved for use in adults in Europe for rapid pathogen detection.…”

Gram-Positive Pneumonia: Possibilities Offered by Phage Therapy

“…With this in mind, several multiplex PCR tests have been developed in order to improve the etiological diagnosis of the illness [ 22 ]. In this context, perhaps the most relevant tests are those used for the analysis of throat and nasal swabs that include a panel of viruses and bacterial pathogens to increase etiological yield in hospitalized children suffering from CAP [ 23 ]. Lee et al [ 24 ] also have developed a multiplex PCR protocol that allows identification of pneumonia-causing pathogens, as well as their main resistance determinants, in adults hospitalized in intensive care units [ 24 ].…”