Spectrum of Pathogens Causing Pneumonia by Using Multiplex PCR, Culture and Clinical History of Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital
1Department of Microbiology, MIMS College of Allied Health Sciences Malappuram, Kerala University of Health Sciences, Kerala 673633, India 2Department of Molecular Biology and Transplant Immunology, Aster MIMS Hospital, Calicut, India 3Department of Microbiology Aster MIMS Hospital, Calicut, India
*Corresponding author
Abstract:
The incidence of various pneumonia cases (viral, bacterial and fungal) is increases as shown in studies. The study aims to identify a broad spectrum of pathogens responsible for pneumonia by employing multiplex PCR, culture methods, and clinical history analysis in patients at a tertiary care hospital. This approach seeks to assess the comparative effectiveness of multiplex PCR against traditional culture techniques. The anticipated outcomes include improved diagnostic accuracy, informed treatment strategies, and enhanced understanding of pneumonia etiology within the studied population. To correlate the findings from Multiplex PCR with the patient's clinical history and to detect the pathogens responsible for pneumonia using both Multiplex PCR and culture methods. And analyze the relationship between clinical history and laboratory parameters such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), C - reactive Protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and Procalcitonin (PCT). Samples such as Sputum, Broncho alveolar lavage (BAL), Bronchial wash and nasopharyngeal swabs from pneumonia patients are examined using standard bacteriological methods and Multiplex PCR assays to identify the causative organisms. The VITEK®2 Compact automatic system, manual methods and Multiplex PCR assays and parameters like CBC, CRP, ESR and PCT used for detecting the organisms causing pneumonia. Fungal pathogens are detected by SDA slant culture and LPCB techniques. During the specified period, a total of 1676 respiratory samples were processed in the hospital, with 341cases (20.34%) are positive for pneumonia. The most isolated organism were viruses (58.06%), followed by bacteria (36.65%) and then fungus (5.27%). Most prevalent viral organism isolated were Influenzae virus A H1N1, bacterial organism were Klebsiella pneumoniae. Aspergillus species were the most prevalent fungal organism. Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most prevalent co infecting pathogens in viral pneumonia cases. CRE be the most prevalent MDR organism. Viral infections were frequently associated with higher lymphocyte counts and elevated CRP and ESR levels, while bacterial infections showed moderate neutrophilia and a significant rise in procalcitonin (PCT), distinguishing them from viral and fungal causes. Fungal infections presented with the lowest neutrophil levels but elevated inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR. Viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens shoes seasonal variations. This study identifies the various organisms causing pneumonia by multiplex PCR, culture and clinical history. Accurate detection is essential for effective treatment, as it enables precise diagnosis and personalized care. By identifying the causative organisms can give the proper and accurate treatment for the pneumonial infection.
Keywords: Pneumonia, Multiplex PCR, Culture, Clinical history, Clinical parameters
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Vismaya P. P., M. Swathy Viswanath, M. Savitha, Vipin Viswanath, Reshmi Gopalakrishnan, M. P. Anjali, M. M. Athulya, Gayathri Meyana and Irfana. 2025. Spectrum of Pathogens Causing Pneumonia by Using Multiplex PCR, Culture and Clinical History of Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 14(11): 275-290. doi:
https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2025.1411.028
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