Development and clinical evaluation of an internally controlled, single-tube multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of Legionella pneumophila and other Legionella species

Kate E. Templeton, Sitha A. Scheltinga, Peter Sillekens, Jantine W. Crielaard, Alje P. van Dam, Herman Goossens, Eric C. J. Claas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of Legionella pneumophila and Legionella spp. and including an internal control was designed. Legionella species, L. pneumophila, and the internal control were detected simultaneously by probes labeled with 6-carboxy-fluorescein, hexachlorofluorescein, and indodicarbocyanine, respectively. Therefore, no postamplification analysis was required in order to distinguish the targets. The sensitivity of both assays was 2.5 CFU/ml, and from analysis of 10 culture-positive and 74 culture-negative samples from patients investigated for legionellosis, 100% agreement was observed by both assays in comparison to culture. Four additional positives were found by the multiplex real-time PCR assay in the Legionella culture-negative samples.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4016-4021
JournalJournal of clinical microbiology
Volume41
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Cite this