RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction is useful in diagnosing pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia including atypical bacteria and viruses JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P4935 VO 44 IS Suppl 58 A1 Yutaka Yoshii A1 Kenichiro Shimizu A1 Miyuki Morozumi A1 Naoko Chiba A1 Kimiko Ubukata A1 Hironori Uruga A1 Shigeo Hanada A1 Kazuma Kishi A1 Hiroshi Wakui A1 Shunsuke Minagawa A1 Jun Kojima A1 Hiromichi Hara A1 Takanori Numata A1 Makoto Kawaishi A1 Jun Araya A1 Yumi Kaneko A1 Katsutoshi Nakayama A1 Kazuyoshi Kuwano YR 2014 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P4935.abstract AB Background: We reported the utility of multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (MRT-PCR) to diagnose pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Japanese adults at ERS 2013. The number of samples was limited, so we extended the study to Jan 2014. Aims: To confirm usefulness of MRT-PCR in diagnosing causative pathogens in a large number of adult Japanese CAP patients as compared with conventional tests (sputum/blood culture, urine antigen for Streptococcus pneumoniae [S.p]/Legionella pneumophila [L.p], and paired serum of Mycoplasma pneumoniae [M.p] antibody) Methods: We prospectively enrolled adult CAP patients from Sep 2012 to Jan 2014. CAP was defined based on respiratory symptoms and laboratory/chest X-ray findings excluding noninfectious causes.We collected sputum, nasopharyngeal swab, urine, and blood samples of each patient. MRT-PCR can identify 6 bacteria and 11 viruses in sputum and nasopharyngeal swab samples. Causative pathogens were identified by each test. Results: We analyzed 92 patients (mean age, 60 years; 53 men). Sensitivity of MRT-PCR was significantly higher than that of conventional tests in all cases (78% vs. 56%; p<0.01). S.p was the most common causative pathogen of CAP by MRT-PCR (21 cases, 23%). Causative pathogens of 12 cases (13%) were atypical bacteria such as L.p, M.p, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Virus infection rate was also high (22%). Conclusions: Compared with conventional tests, MRT-PCR was useful for diagnosing CAP. It can simultaneously identify ≥2 pathogens including atypical bacteria and uncultivable viruses and maintain high sensitivity in a large number of patients.