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Published on: September 5, 2013
Performance Evaluation of NovaplexTM Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Streptococcus agalactiae
Mallikarjun Handigund1,2, Jaehyeon Lee1,2
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B streptococcus (GBS), is a Gram-positive pathogen with an extended track record of colonization in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. GBS can induce disease in individuals across all age demographics, yet it predominantly triggers infections in neonates and the elderly. Identification of the serotype is vital for effective management of the disease as it provides critical information for clinicians on the cause of the disease. In this study, we evaluated the rapid, simple, and easy-to-adopt multiplex real-time PCR technique, NovaplexTM (NovaPCR). A total of 131 clinical isolates of different serotypes were tested using NovaPCR. Observations revealed that 129 isolates showed the same observations as LA and conventional mPCR. NovaPCR accurately identified serotypes IV and V, which were first classified as serotype Ia in the LA test and mPCR, and the difference between the traditional (LA test and mPCR) and NovaPCR methods is only 1.52%. Accurate serotype identification is helpful for monitoring the epidemics and achieving optimal clinical outcomes, and NovaPCR showed a reliable, fast, easy-to-interpret, and cost-efficient performance in GBS serotyping.
Insights
A new multiplex real-time PCR method, NovaPCR, accurately identifies Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) serotypes. This rapid and cost-efficient technique improves GBS serotyping for better disease management and epidemic tracking.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) is a Gram-positive pathogen colonizing the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.
- GBS causes significant disease, particularly in neonates and the elderly.
- Accurate GBS serotyping is crucial for disease management and epidemiological surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the NovaPlex multiplex real-time PCR (NovaPCR) for GBS serotyping.
- To compare NovaPCR with traditional methods like the LA test and conventional multiplex PCR (mPCR).
Main Methods:
- A total of 131 clinical isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae were tested.
- The NovaPlex multiplex real-time PCR (NovaPCR) technique was employed.
- Results were compared against the LA test and conventional mPCR.
Main Results:
- NovaPCR demonstrated high accuracy, with 129 out of 131 isolates showing concordant results with LA and mPCR.
- NovaPCR correctly identified serotypes IV and V, which were misclassified as serotype Ia by traditional methods.
- The discrepancy rate between NovaPCR and traditional methods was only 1.52%.
Conclusions:
- NovaPCR is a reliable, rapid, and easy-to-interpret method for GBS serotyping.
- The technique offers a cost-efficient alternative for accurate serotype identification.
- Improved GBS serotyping using NovaPCR can aid in epidemic monitoring and optimize clinical outcomes.
