Rapid identification and strain-typing of respiratory pathogens for epidemic surveillance

DJ Ecker, R Sampath, LB Blyn… - Proceedings of the …, 2005 - National Acad Sciences
DJ Ecker, R Sampath, LB Blyn, MW Eshoo, C Ivy, JA Ecker, B Libby, V Samant…
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2005National Acad Sciences
Epidemic respiratory infections are responsible for extensive morbidity and mortality within
both military and civilian populations. We describe a high-throughput method to
simultaneously identify and genotype species of bacteria from complex mixtures in
respiratory samples. The process uses electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and base
composition analysis of PCR amplification products from highly conserved genomic regions
to identify and determine the relative quantity of pathogenic bacteria present in the sample …
Epidemic respiratory infections are responsible for extensive morbidity and mortality within both military and civilian populations. We describe a high-throughput method to simultaneously identify and genotype species of bacteria from complex mixtures in respiratory samples. The process uses electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and base composition analysis of PCR amplification products from highly conserved genomic regions to identify and determine the relative quantity of pathogenic bacteria present in the sample. High-resolution genotyping of specific species is achieved by using additional primers targeted to highly variable regions of specific bacterial genomes. This method was used to examine samples taken from military recruits during respiratory disease outbreaks and for follow up surveillance at several military training facilities. Analysis of respiratory samples revealed high concentrations of pathogenic respiratory species, including Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. When S. pyogenes was identified in samples from the epidemic site, the identical genotype was found in almost all recruits. This analysis method will provide information fundamental to understanding the polymicrobial nature of explosive epidemics of respiratory disease.
National Acad Sciences