Journal article
Real-time qPCR improves meningitis pathogen detection in invasive bacterial-vaccine preventable disease surveillance in Fiji
EM Dunne, S Mantanitobua, SP Singh, R Reyburn, E Tuivaga, E Rafai, L Tikoduadua, B Porter, C Satzke, JE Strachan, KK Fox, KM Jenkins, A Jenney, S Baro, E Kim Mulholland, M Kama, FM Russell
Scientific Reports | NATURE PORTFOLIO | Published : 2016
DOI: 10.1038/srep39784
Abstract
As part of the World Health Organization Invasive Bacterial-Vaccine Preventable Diseases (IB-VPD) surveillance in Suva, Fiji, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from suspected meningitis patients of all ages were examined by traditional methods (culture, Gram stain, and latex agglutination for bacterial antigen) and qPCR for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Of 266 samples tested, pathogens were identified in 47 (17.7%). S. pneumoniae was the most common pathogen detected (n = 17) followed by N. meningitidis (n = 13). The use of qPCR significantly increased detection of IB-VPD pathogens (P = 0.0001): of 35 samples that were qPCR positive for S. pneu..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the clinical and laboratory staff at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, especially Consultant Pathologist Dr Litia Tudravu, and the laboratory staff at Mataika House in Suva, Fiji. We thank the National Influenza Prevention Technical Working Group of Fiji for use of the PCR facility and Jason Hinds and Kate Gould from St. George's, University of London and BUGS Bioscience for assistance with microarray work. This study was supported by the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program and by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian Government and Fiji Health Sector Support Program (FHSSP). FHSSP is implemented by Abt JTA on behalf of the Australian Government. Fiona Russell and Catherine Satzke are supported by fellowships from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.