Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using a Multiplex PCR Assay Among Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Infection

Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide however, local data on the etiologic diagnosis of ARI are limited. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and the most commonly detected respiratory pathogens using a multiplex PCR assay, known as the Respiratory Panel, among hospitalized children with ARI and compare their clinical and laboratory differences. Methods: This is a cross sectional study of children with ARI who were tested with a multiplex PCR assay. Retrospective chart review was done on these patients admitted from January 2018 to February 2020. Results: There were 47 charts reviewed, mean age was 4.2 years old. Out of 47 patients, 36 (76.6%) tested positive for a pathogen. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) being the most common followed by Influenza A/H1-2009 and Human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Two patients had viral co-infections and no bacteria were detected on all subjects. 61.7% patients were started on antibiotics on admission. Fever and cough were the most common sign and symptom, respectively. Normal WBC (68% with neutrophilic predominance) and platelet were detected in 72.3% and 70.2% of patients, respectively; 50% of patients had normal CRP and 60.5% had abnormal findings on chest x-ray. Only the presence of chest x-ray findings was found to have a higher probability of yielding a positive Respiratory Panel p=0.27. Conclusion: Among admitted patients with ARI, 76.6% tested positive for a respiratory pathogen. All were caused by viruses presenting as nonspecific manifestations – fever and cough. Clinical manifestations, CBC and CRP showed no association with the Respiratory Panel result while abnormal chest x-ray had a higher probability of yielding a positive Respiratory Panel result.