Molecular detection and genotyping of bacterial and viral meningitis common causative agents by multiplex real-time PCR in Iran

Publication date: Available online 2 September 2019Source: Journal of Microbiological MethodsAuthor(s): Ali Pormohammad, Taher Azimi, Seyedeh Marzieh Jabbari Shiadeh, Ghazaleh Talebi, Ali Hashemi, Elham Abbasi, Fatemeh FallahAbstractThe present study aimed to design a sensitive, specific and rapid multiplex real-time PCR for detection of the common causative agents of meningitis. Also, we aimed to report valuable genotyping data from Iran for establishing future vaccination and prevention strategies for the meningitis. From July 2015 to January 2018, 325 suspected cases of meningitis were enrolled in the current study. Uniplex and multiplex real-time PCR were used for detection of pathogenic bacteria including N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, and S. pneumoniae in CSF specimens. Moreover, viral pathogens, such as VZV and HSV, were detected by uniplex real-time PCR. Finally, capsular/genotypes of bacteria were determined by multiplex PCR. The sensitivity of the designed multiplex real-time PCR was similar to that of the uniplex real-time PCR which could detect up to 10−2 DNA dilution. The results of uniplex and multiplex real-time PCR showed that H. influenzae was also the most frequently detected bacterium in the CSF samples. N. meningitidis (n = 8; 21%) and S. pneumoniae (n = 7; 19%) had the highest proportion in <1 month age group, respectively. Furthermore, Hib, S. pneumoniae serogroup 3, and NmB had the highest proportion of genotypes among all age groups, r...
Source: Journal of Microbiological Methods - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research