Successful nanolitre real-time PCR detection of respiratory pathogens in clinical specimens.

We performed a proof-of-concept study to determine if human pathogens could be detected in clinical specimens using nanolitre-volume real-time PCR. Nanolitre PCR for Bordetella pertussis/B. parapertussis and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was performed on nasopharyngeal specimens and results compared with conventional methods. B. pertussis/B. parapertussis nanolitre PCR detection was 100% sensitive (20/20; 95% CI, 84-100%) and 100% specific (26/26; 95% CI, 87-100%). RSV nanolitre PCR was also 100% sensitive (21/21; 95% CI, 85-100%) and specific (25/25; 95%, CI 87-100%). Respiratory pathogens can be successfully detected in clinical specimens using nanolitre-volume PCR.