Multiplex PCR diagnostics of respiratory pathogens in adults
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Topic of the dissertation
Multiplex PCR diagnostics of respiratory pathogens in adults
Doctoral candidate
Licentiate of Medicine Elina Saarela
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Professor Asko Järvinen, HUS Inflammation Center
Custos
Professor Terhi Ruuska-Loewald, University of Oulu
Rapid detection of respiratory pathogens in adults
Respiratory infections caused by viruses or bacteria are common. Bacterial antibiotics are frequently used empirically, since etiology cannot be defined on clinical grounds. Inappropriate use of antibiotics has several disadvantages.
In this project, the impact of a sensitive, nucleic acid amplification based method detecting several pathogens simultaneously was evaluated. At first, nasal samples of 998 patients were tested for 16 respiratory viruses. Two groups, one with results in a day and the other one with results in a week, were compared. There was no difference between the groups in antibiotic use or in the length of hospitalization.
In the second stage, the remaining samples were tested for seven respiratory bacteria. Patients with positive bacterial detections were younger, their mean C-reactive protein was higher and they had a higher probability of pneumonia compared to the patients with negative detections.
Co-detection of viruses and bacteria in the same sample was infrequent. Yet it was associated with higher risk of pneumonia and probability of receiving antibiotic treatment.
In this project, the impact of a sensitive, nucleic acid amplification based method detecting several pathogens simultaneously was evaluated. At first, nasal samples of 998 patients were tested for 16 respiratory viruses. Two groups, one with results in a day and the other one with results in a week, were compared. There was no difference between the groups in antibiotic use or in the length of hospitalization.
In the second stage, the remaining samples were tested for seven respiratory bacteria. Patients with positive bacterial detections were younger, their mean C-reactive protein was higher and they had a higher probability of pneumonia compared to the patients with negative detections.
Co-detection of viruses and bacteria in the same sample was infrequent. Yet it was associated with higher risk of pneumonia and probability of receiving antibiotic treatment.
Created 12.11.2025 | Updated 13.11.2025