Development and Performance Of a Multiplex PCR Assay For the Detection of Bacteria in Sterile Body Fluids
Coreen Johnson, Christopher P. Marquez, Damon R. Olson, Tabitha Ward, Stephen Cheney, Tina Hulten, Trang T. Ton, CR Webb, James J. Dunn
Abstract
Aim: To assess the performance characteristics of a lab-developed multiplex PCR assay for the detection of common bacterial pathogens associated with infections in pediatric patients from normally sterile sites, such as cerebrospinal fluid, synovial and pleural fluids. Materials & methods: A total of 272 specimens were tested by PCR and traditional culture methods to assess the presence of Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Kingella kingae. Results: Compared with culture, the overall positive and negative percentage agreement of the PCR were 95.9% and 74.1%, respectively. Conclusion: This sterile body fluid PCR affords a rapid and sensitive alternative for bacterial detection, allowing for more timely pathogen-directed antimicrobial therapy.