Rapid dentification of etiological agents of respiratory tract infections during the COVID-19 pandemic using the multiplex-PCR method

Objective. Most respiratory infections have similar symptoms, so it is clinically difficult to determine their etiology. This study aimed show the importance of molecular diagnostics in identifying etiological agent infections, especially during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods. A total 849 samples from patients hospitalized at University Clinical Center Kragujevac (from January 1 August 1, 2022) were examined using automated multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The BioFire-FilmArray-Respiratory Panel 2.1 test was used for 742 nasopharyngeal swabs [identification 19 viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) and four bacteria], while BioFire-FilmArray-Pneumonia 18 bacteria nine viruses] (BioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) 107 tracheal aspirates. tests performed according manufacturer's instructions, results available within an hour. Results. In 582 (78.4%) samples, plus identified least one pathogen. rhinovirus (20.6%), SARS-CoV-2 (17.7%), influenza (17.5%), syncytial virus (12.4%), parainfluenza 3 (10.1%) most common. Other found less frequently, Bordetella parapertussis detected sample. 85 (79.4%) bacterium or virus. prevalent Staphylococcus aureus (42.4%), Haemophilus influenzae (41.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (36.5%), Moraxella catarrhalis (22.3%), Legionella pneumophila (2.4%). Among viruses, adenovirus (23.5%), (11.8%), genus Coronavirus (4.7%), detected. Conclusion. Multiplex-PCR improved implementation therapeutic epidemiological measures, preventing spread COVID-19 infection Legionnaires' disease.