RESUMEN
Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic bacterium causing septicemia and meningitis in humans. Due to rapid disease progression, high mortality rate, and many underdiagnosed cases by time-consuming routine identification methods, alternative diagnostic testing is essential. Among 29 broadly accepted S. suis serotypes, serotypes 2 and 14 are high prevalent; however, many PCR assays showed an inability to differentiate serotype 2 from 1/2, and 1 from 14. In this study, we developed and validated a new multiplex PCR assay that facilitates the identification of only the 29 true serotypes of S. suis and simultaneously differentiates serotypes 1, 1/2, 2, and 14 within a single reaction. Importantly, the multiplex PCR could detect S. suis directly from positive hemocultures and CSF. The results revealed high sensitivity, specificity, and 100% accuracy with almost perfect agreement (κ = 1.0) compared to culture and serotyping methods. Direct detection enables a decrease in overall diagnosis time, rapid and efficient treatment, reduced fatality rates, and proficient disease control. This multiplex PCR offers a rapid, easy, and cost-effective method that can be applied in a routine laboratory. Furthermore, it is promising for developing point-of-care testing (POCT) for S. suis detection in the future.