ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Infection by the intracellular bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila are common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This study describes the evaluation of a new multiplex real-time PCR test, EuDx™-PN MLC Detection Kit (EUDIPIA), which allows the simultaneous detection of M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. pneumophila in respiratory samples. METHODS: A total of 353 samples were tested using three PCR kits: multiplex PCR (Seeplex PneumoBacter ACE Detection Kit) and two multiplex real-time PCR (EuDx™-PN MLC Detection Kit and Anyplex™ II RB5 Detection Kit). The results were considered true positives (expanded standard) for M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. pneumophila if they were positive according to any of the three tests. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of EuDx™-PN MLC Detection Kit were 93.3–100% and 100%, respectively. The agreement rate and Cohen's kappa coefficient (value) between EuDx™-PN MLC Detection Kit and Anyplex™ II RB5 Detection Kit for M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. pneumophila were 70–100% and 0.82–1, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the EuDx™-PN MLC Detection Kit is a sensitive, specific, and useful screening tool for the detection of atypical pathogens in respiratory samples and can be helpful in selecting appropriate antimicrobial therapy for patients with respiratory infection.