Application of a nucleic acid-based multiplex kit to identify viral and atypical bacterial aetiology of lower respiratory tract infection in hospitalized children.

Abstract

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), particularly those acquired in hospitals, are an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Understanding the aetiology and epidemiology of LRTIs is necessary for clinical management, reduction of antibiotic usage, vaccine development and prevention of nosocomial infection. In this study, we aimed to detect 13 viruses and atypical bacteria in nasopharyngeal secretion specimens from hospitalized children with LRTIs. From January 2014 to December 2016, nasopharyngeal secretion specimens were prospectively collected from 3232 children aged between 1 and 72 months. Nucleic acid was extracted and analysed using the SureX13 respiratory pathogen multiplex kit as per the manufacturer's instructions. A total of 2874 (88.9 %) children tested positive for viral and/or atypical bacterial infections, and 965 (29.9 %) were co-infected with multiple pathogens. The most frequently detected respiratory tract pathogens (RTPs) were rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus and adenoviruses. The rates of RTP and co-infection positivity in the toddler group were significantly higher than those in the infant and preschool groups. The SureX13 respiratory pathogen multiplex kit has the ability to effectively detect a range of RTPs in hospitalized paediatric patients with LRTIs.