Abstract: Methods for screening a multiplicity of respiratory pathogens by isolating nucleic acids from a sample include isolating a nucleic acid from a sample and using solid phase amplification with forward primers SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 16 or 33 or 35 and corresponding reverse primers SEQ ID NOs: 17 to 32 or 34 or 36 along with probes to generate amplicons. The method further includes employing bead sets which are homogenous with respect to bead size and optionally with respect to the intensity of the label. Binding of a particular amplicon to a subset of beads determines the identity of the respiratory pathogen.

Abstract: The present disclosure is instructional for a multiplex nucleic acid amplification assay to detect and identify multiple respiratory pathogens.