Investigation of upper respiratory tract infection agents in children by multiplex pcr

ABSTRACT INVESTIGATION OF UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIOUS AGENTS IN CHILDREN BY MULTIPLEX PCR METHOD Tuğba TEKEREK Master's Thesis, Gaziantep University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Medical Microbiology Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Tekin KARSLIGİL 56 Page, May 2024 Respiratory tract infections, which are common in all age groups, are an important public health problem worldwide. It is difficult to distinguish between respiratory tract infections caused by viruses and bacteria based on the clinical picture and radiological status. Differentiating between bacterial and viral infections at an early stage is beneficial in initiating treatment and reducing mortality and morbidity. Multiplex PCR tests, which can identify various viruses and bacteria simultaneously in a short time, can help with proper storage.In our study, 100 patients aged 0-18 years who came to Gaziantep Abdulkadir Konukoğlu Family Health Center with complaints of upper respiratory tract infection between November and December 2023 were included. Respiratory tract samples obtained from patients were analyzed by multiplex PCR for adenovirus, influenza A, influenza B, PIV (1, 2, 3, 4), RSV (A/B), hMPV, HBoV, HCoV (HKU, 229E, NL63, OC43), Sars-CoV-2, paraechovirus, enterovirus/rhinovirus, A total of 24 agents including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila, 18 viruses and 6 bacteria were investigated. At least one agent was detected in 62 (62%) patients. According to the results of multiplex PCR, the most frequently detected bacterial agents were S. pneumoniae (n:28), H. influenzae (n:21) and the most frequently detected viral agents were hCoV species (n:10), enterovirus/rhinovirus (n:9). 38 (38%) patients had negative results. The co-infection rate was 18%. When the results were analyzed, 50 (61.73%) of the positive agents were bacterial and 31 (38.27%) were viral. When the distribution of the agents according to gender was analyzed, only H. influenzae was significantly more common in males than females. Detection of the causative agents of respiratory tract infections by rapid molecular tests will enable the immediate organization of antimicrobial treatment and contribute to the prevention of unnecessary antibiotic use. It will also ensure that the necessary isolation measures are taken without delay to prevent the spread of infection. Keywords: Agent, bacteria, multiplex PCR, upper respiratory tract infectious,virus.