A Novel approach for serotyping S.pneumoniae using an automated Microarray Assay with Augmented utility

Vandana Govindan; Avid Hussain Shaik; Dr. K L Ravikumar

Volume : VII, Issue : VII, July - 2018

A Novel approach for serotyping S.pneumoniae using an automated Microarray Assay with Augmented utility

Vandana Govindan, Avid Hussain Shaik, Dr. K L Ravikumar

Abstract :

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype detection is essential to track the local, global spread of pneumococci, estimate disease burden and epidemiology of infection. With quellung reaction, the gold standard test, cross reactions have been reported and unencapsulated strains produce false–negative results. It is time–consuming, subject to interpretation bias, needing an inventory of expensive antisera. Current molecular methods have limitations like amplicon contamination leading to inaccurate identification, inability to discriminate homologous types, false positive results for strains that do not express capsule and is available only in few research centers. The Microarray assay presented here is robust, easy to handle and could identify all known 90 serotypes. Out of 53 isolates representing different serotypes, all were identified accuratelyand invariably producing results concordant with the conventional serotyping technique. The assay will be useful for the evaluation of serotype prevalence changes after new conjugate vaccines introduction.