Development of a multiplex one step RT-PCR that detects eighteen respiratory viruses in clinical specimens and comparison with real time RT-PCR

► Developed multiplex RT PCR that detects 18 respiratory viruses in clinical samples. ► Developed method is rapid, cost effective, highly sensitive and specific. ► Sensitivity and specificity of multiplex RT PCR were 99.54 and 83.66% respectively. ► This method is useful for surveillance and diagnosis in resource-poor settings.