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- Title
Evaluation of a stepwise approach using microbiota analysis, species-specific qPCRs and culture for the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections.
- Authors
van den Munckhof, Ellen H. A.; de Koning, Maurits N. C.; Quint, Wim G. V.; van Doorn, Leen-Jan; Leverstein-van Hall, Maurine A.
- Abstract
In clinical practice, the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) is based on culture. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a stepwise approach using microbiota analysis, species-specific quantitative real-time (q)PCRs and culture has the potential to be a more accurate and efficient diagnostic approach than culture alone. Sixty-two sputa obtained in a routine clinical setting from patients with a suspected LRTI were included. All sputa were analysed by culture, microbiota analysis based on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene and multiple species-specific qPCRs. Microbiota and culture data were compared to investigate whether cut-off values for microbiota analysis could be determined. For microbiota analysis, a relative abundance of 25% was identified as the cut-off value for the detection of both genera Streptococcus and Haemophilus. Microbiota analysis combined with species-specific qPCRs resulted in a significant increase in the number of positive sputa (73% vs 58%; p = 0.003) as well as in the number of identified pathogens (51 vs 37; p = 0.049) compared to culture. A stepwise approach using microbiota analysis, species-specific qPCRs and culture has the potential to be used in clinical settings for the diagnosis of LRTIs in the near future.
- Publication
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2019, Vol 38, Issue 4, p747
- ISSN
0934-9723
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10096-019-03511-4