Respiratory Pathogen Multiplex PCR Kit

What is a Respiratory Pathogen Multiplex PCR Kit?

A respiratory pathogen multiplex PCR kit is a molecular diagnostic assay designed to detect multiple respiratory pathogens simultaneously from a single clinical sample. Using real-time PCR and multiplex detection technologies, these kits are essential in managing respiratory infections with overlapping symptoms, enabling differential diagnosis in a single test.

The TRUPCR® Respiratory Pathogen Panel Kit provides broad coverage, targeting 24 key respiratory pathogens, including both viral and bacterial agents. It also detects clinically relevant variants, such as the four types of Parainfluenza virus, subtypes of Influenza A (including H3N2 and Pandemic H1N1), and RSV types A and B—without counting these variants as separate pathogens. This approach ensures a syndromic overview while preserving clinical clarity.

Role of the RNaseP Gene in Assay Reliability

The inclusion of the human RNaseP gene as an internal control in this respiratory pathogen multiplex PCR kit serves several essential purposes:

• Confirms the presence of human nucleic acid (ensuring sample validity)
• Verifies successful nucleic acid extraction and amplification
• Detects potential PCR inhibitors
• Prevents false-negative results

This control is co-amplified in a dedicated reaction and provides an internal checkpoint for every tested sample, increasing the reliability of results.

H2: About the TRUPCR® Respiratory Pathogen Panel Kit

The TRUPCR® Respiratory Pathogen Panel Kit is a qualitative multiplex PCR assay for detecting 24 respiratory pathogens from respiratory specimens like BAL, tracheal aspirates, sputum, and nasopharyngeal swabs. The panel includes:

Bacteria

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Klebsiella pneumoniae
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae
• Salmonella spp.
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Bordetella spp.
• Chlamydia pneumoniae
• Streptococcus agalactiae
• Acinetobacter baumannii
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Legionella pneumophila
• Haemophilus influenzae (A–F)
• Moraxella catarrhalis

Viruses

• Influenza A virus (including H3N2 and Pandemic H1N1 subtypes)
• Influenza B virus
• Influenza C virus
• Parainfluenza virus types 1–4
• Enterovirus
• Human Metapneumovirus (types A and B)
• Adenovirus
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV A & B)
• Rhinovirus
• Bocavirus
• Human Coronavirus (alpha & beta)
• Human Parechovirus
• SARS-CoV-2

This targeted design ensures comprehensive detection of respiratory infections, including co-infections.

H2: Principle and Workflow

The TRUPCR® kit is based on real-time PCR using fluorescent dye-labeled probes. During amplification, specific probes hybridize to pathogen DNA or RNA, and Taq polymerase cleaves the probe, separating fluorophore and quencher, generating a measurable signal.

Workflow Steps:

1. Extract total nucleic acid from respiratory sample

2. Prepare PCR reactions (8-tube format)

3. Run the reaction on a qPCR system

4. Analyze using optional TRUPCR® software

The interpretation software (RUO) automates result validation and reporting. It offers:

• Visual amplification curve inspection

• Machine-learning-based detection of improper signals

• Issue flagging and streamlined final report generation

Clinical Application

This respiratory pathogen multiplex PCR kit is ideal for use in:

• Clinical microbiology laboratories

• Molecular diagnostics and syndromic respiratory panels

• Hospital infection control

• Pandemic and seasonal outbreak monitoring

By consolidating detection of 24 pathogens—including all major viral subtypes and bacterial causes of pneumonia, bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract infections—this kit helps labs provide accurate, fast, and actionable diagnostic results.

It enables clinicians to:

• Differentiate viral from bacterial infections
• Make evidence-based treatment decisions
• Detect co-infections
• Reduce time to diagnosis from days to hours