Detection of respiratory pathogens in lower respiratory tract infections by multiplex real time PCR in Kocaeli/Istanbul region in 2015-2017

Özet

Aim: As very important causes of morbidity and mortality, lo-wer respiratory tract infections lead the way among important problematic issues of medicine. Data gathered using modern diagnostic tools have promoted us to rapidly understand and control these infections. Revealing the variety and frequency of the disease-causing microorganisms will make us head towards a different direction from previous years in diagnosis, treatment and control measures.Methods: Twenty-one viral respiratory pathogens were identifi-ed from the 283 nasopharyngeal aspirates of the patients who had lower respiratory tract infection using Fast Track FTD Res-piratory 21 kit (Fast Track Diagnosis, Luxembourg) between the years 2015-2017. Results: One or more than one pathogen were discovered in 236 of 283 specimens (83.45%). The most frequent pathogens were Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, Influenza A and B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus A/B, Human metapneumovirus A/B and Parainfluenza 1. Conclusion: Accurate, and effective treatment of the patients was provided using the tests yielding results within 16-24 ho-urs. Thanks to “improvement” in hospital stay, initiation of an appropriate antimicrobial therapy in time, and taking infection control measures in association with identification of the cau-sative agent, significant contribution to economy, and more im-portantly a big advancement was made in correct clinical and epidemiological practice. Providing more comprehensive, easily affordable, user-friendly tests yielding rapid and correct results, is the next step ahead us. Incorporation of these tests by health insurances and social security institutions should be on the agen-da as a complementary step and should facilitate health profes-sionals’ work in improving patients’ health levels.