Multiple Respiratory Tract Pathogens Detection by TaqMan Array Card

Abstract

Respiratory tract infections are common diseases caused by exposure to the secretions or droplets from infected patients. Infections lead to fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose and headache. In general, the patient will receive empirical treatment. However, in the severe case or during an outbreak of respiratory infections, specific treatment can be guided by laboratory diagnostic test. Real-time PCR assay is one of well-known method for pathogen detection, which is fast, easy-to-use assay and can detect multiple pathogens simultaneously. TaqMan Array Card (TAC) is the simultaneous real-time PCR designed to perform 384 reactions at the same time and uses a small volume of nucleic acid compared to commercial kits. TAC might be an alternative multiple respiratory pathogens detection technique which increases the efficiency of rapid screening and contribute to support treatment. Furthermore, it can be used in the field settings for outbreak investigation and epidemiological study.