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*Correspondence Address
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This study outlines the evaluation of a single-tube multiplex real-time PCR for the simultaneous detection of N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, and S. pneumoniae in clinical samples using the TaqMan system. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of the three major meningitis-causing pathogens are assessed. The application of the multiplex PCR as an epidemiological tool for improved non-culture diagnosis was evaluated and compared with cultural and serological techniques. It was possible to identify clinically significant bacterial species in cerebrospinal fluid by multiplex PCR, and to identify H. influenzae by real-time PCR within a short period.
Meningitis, N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, S. pneumonia, PCR