Real-time PCR for direct detection of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in patients suffering from upper respiratory tract infection in Babylon Province

Abstract EN

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the main humans pathogens, it is important cause of community-acquired pneumoniae.

It causes clinical respiratory signs in lower and upper respiratory tract.

S.

pneumoniae may also occur in the upper respiratory tract, and can be detected from nasopharyngeal secretions.

In this study, we developed a Real-Time PCR specific for direct detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae to be applied from nasopharyngeal secretions in adult patients with respiratory tract infections.

The Real-Time PCR Primers were designed from the highly conserved of 16S ribosomal RNA gene of S.

pneumoniae.

Study results, were show that Real-Time PCR was highly sensitive and specific of up to 98 % in detection of S.

pneumoniae from nasopharyngeal secretions.

Where, the bacteria recorded 34 positive out of 46 specimens (73.9 %).

The study concluded that the used Real-Time PCR assay was provide a sensitive and reliable means for rapid detection of S.

pneumoniae in upper respiratory tract infection and this assay may serve a suitable molecular diagnostic tool for detection of S.

pneumoniae from nasopharyngeal secretions.