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Author Spotlight: Advancing Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using Microfluidic Chip
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Author Spotlight: Advancing Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using Microfluidic Chip

Published on: March 29, 2024

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Improving the identification of pneumonia pathogens by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) alongside

Nurul Izzaty Najwa Zahari1, Wong Jia Ying1, Siti Asma' Hassan2

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Journal of Microbiological Methods
|November 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Multiplex qPCR is more sensitive than sputum culture for detecting respiratory pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This molecular method enhances accuracy for diagnosing pneumonia, aiding patient care.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Diagnostics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Upper respiratory tract bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae can cause pneumonia.
  • Molecular diagnostic techniques are increasingly preferred for detecting respiratory pathogens.
  • Sputum culture remains a standard diagnostic method, especially in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the diagnostic performance of an in-house multiplex qPCR assay against traditional sputum culture for identifying key respiratory pathogens.
  • To evaluate the sensitivity and accuracy of qPCR in detecting common causes of pneumonia from sputum samples.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 94 sputum specimens.
  • Evaluation of specimens using both conventional sputum culture and a developed in-house multiplex qPCR assay.
  • Comparative analysis of pathogen detection rates between the two diagnostic methods.

Main Results:

  • The multiplex qPCR assay detected pathogens in 84.04% (79/94) of specimens, significantly higher than culture (31.37%, 32/94).
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most predominant pathogen detected by qPCR (54/94), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (26/94) and Haemophilus influenzae (20/94).
  • Culture identified significantly fewer cases: S. pneumoniae (1/94), K. pneumoniae (14/94), and H. influenzae (3/94).

Conclusions:

  • The findings strongly support integrating multiplex qPCR into routine diagnostic workflows for respiratory samples.
  • qPCR offers enhanced sensitivity and accuracy compared to culture, crucial for effective pneumonia diagnosis and patient management.
  • Molecular methods like qPCR represent a significant advancement in identifying respiratory pathogens, improving clinical decision-making.
Keywords:
CultureMultiplex qPCRPneumoniaRespiratory pathogens

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