Evaluation of a multiplex qPCR assay for rapid diagnosis of fungal pneumonia and tuberculosis in people with advanced HIV disease.

Multiplex qPCR assay detects histoplasmosis and pneumocystosis with 100% and 80% sensitivity respectively in PLWHA, but shows limited sensitivity for TB and cryptococcosis.

• Why it matters: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of fungal pneumonias and TB is crucial for reducing mortality among people with advanced HIV, especially where access to traditional diagnostics is limited.
• What they did: A cross-sectional study evaluated a multiplex qPCR targeting specific genetic regions in respiratory samples from 88 adults with HIV and pulmonary infections, comparing its performance to standard methods.
• The result: The assay demonstrated high accuracy for histoplasmosis and pneumocystosis, with overall accuracy between 66% and 86%, supporting its role as a complementary tool for differential diagnosis in this population.