Development and application of a method to detect 27 respiratory pathogens using multiplex RT-PCR combined with MassARRAY technology

Abstract Background Respiratory tract infections are the most common that lead to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early recognition precise diagnosis of microbial etiology is important treat LRTIs promptly, specifically effectively. Objectives To establish a method based on multiplex reverse transcription (MRT)-PCR MassARRAY technology for simultaneous detection 27 respiratory pathogens explore its clinical application value. Methods Analytical sensitivity specificity MRT-PCR-MassARRAY system were validated using inactivated bacterial viral strains. Also we analyzed samples from 207 patients by methods compared results with consensus PCR/reverse (RT)-PCR. Results The minimum limit our was 10–100 copies/μl, high specificity. Comparison test PCR/RT-PCR samples, positive, negative, total correlation rates 100, 98.68, 99.03%, respectively. There degree agreement between two ( P < 0.01 McNemar’s test). Conclusion Our has specificity, throughput, simple operate. It provides diagnostic value great significance in screening pathogens.