A novel capillary electrophoresis-based multiplex PCR assay for detection of respiratory pathogens

Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2011 Fall;41(1):33-8.

Abstract

The field of infectious disease testing has recently experienced rapid expansion in the number of multiplexed PCR-based assays available for detecting respiratory pathogens. This study provides a preliminary evaluation of a multiplex assay from Seegene that uses capillary electrophoresis as the detection platform for viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens. We compared this technology to a real-time PCR assay for 3 viral targets. Thirty respiratory samples were collected that had previously tested positive for either Flu A, Flu B, or RSV (ten of each). The Seegene assay detected 9/10 Flu A samples, 9/10 Flu B, and 10/10 RSV, for a total detection rate of 93%. The two samples that were undetected by the Seegene assay both generated late-crossing thresholds on the real-time platform, consistent with low viral loads. The Seeplex assay provides a promising alternative for multiplex respiratory testing.

MeSH terms

  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza B virus / genetics
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification*
  • Oligonucleotides / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / genetics
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Oligonucleotides