What is Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel?
Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel is a qualitative multiplex PCR-based test to detect and differentiate 9 species/groups of bacteria, 4 parasites and 5 viruses that can all cause gastroenteritis in humans.
Prevalence
- Gastrointestinal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially among young children and immunocompromised patients
- According to WHO, globally, there are nearly 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrhoeal disease each year and it kills around 525,000 children under five every year
- Gastroenteritis is a common condition that affects the gut. It refers to the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that includes the stomach and the intestines
Why do you need this test?
- The conventional tests includes stool culture, microscopy for ova and parasite, ELISA and rapid lateral flow test that can only test one to a few bacterial pathogens per test and takes anywhere between 30 mins to 3 days
- Whereas Multiplex Real time PCR (Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel) can test multiple pathogen & virluence genes per test in less than 5 hours
- Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for enteric pathogens allow for the syndromic testing of stool for multiple pathogens simultaneously. It is rapid and accurate method
| Methods | Tests for | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional techniques | ||
| Stool Culture | One to a few bacterial pathogens per test | 2-3 days |
| Microscopy for Ova and Parasite | Only Parasitic pathogens | Multiple specimens to be collected for several days for final diagnosis |
| ELISA (Antigen & Antibody test) | Single pathogen per test | 6-24 hours |
| Rapid lateral flow test | Single pathogen per test | 20-30 mins |
| Molecular techniques | ||
| Single Plex PCR | Single pathogen per test | NA |
| Multiplex Real time PCR | Multiple pathogen & virulence genes per test | Less than 2 days |
| Bacteria | Parasites | Viruses |
|---|---|---|
| Campylobacter spp | Entamoeba histolytica | Norovirus (GI/GII/GIV) |
| Salmonella spp. | Giardia lamblia | Rotavirus (A) |
| Yersinia enterocolitica | Cryptosporidium spp. | Adenovirus (40/41) |
| Clostridium difficile toxin A | Dientamoeba fragilis | Astrovirus |
| Clostridium difficile toxin B | Sapovirus (GI/GII/GIV/GV) | |
| Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC), stx1/stx2 | ||
| Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), eae | ||
| Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), elt/est | ||
| Shigella/enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), ipaH |
Advantages
- Detects 18 different pathogens in a single tube unlike Seegene Allplex™ Gastrointestinal Panel Assays which have separate panels for bacteria, virus and parasite.
- Fresh or frozen stool specimens can be used, wherein pre-treatment of stool is optional and transport media is not required.
- Extensively validated with potentially cross-reactive pathogens.
- Internal validation at MedGenome demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity.
- Robust identification of co-infections which is very common in gastrointestinal pathogens.
Who needs to get tested?
Individuals with:
- Diarrhoea with fever, severe abdominal cramps, or signs of sepsis
- Moderate to severe disease
- High risk of spreading disease to others and during known or suspected outbreaks
- Presenting with Dysentery
- Symptoms lasting more than seven days
- Immunocompromised patients with diarrhoea
Why MedGenome?
MedGenome offers the most comprehensive and advanced genetic and molecular tests for infectious diseases. Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel is a qualitative multiplex PCR-based test to detect and differentiate within 2 ½ hours 9 species/groups of bacteria, 4 parasites and 5 viruses that can all cause gastroenteritis in humans (table 2). It is a CE-IVD real-time PCR-based assay.
| MedGenome Offers | Test Code | Test Sample requirements | TAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel | MGM1728 | Stool | 2 Working days Post sample receipt at the lab |
Additional Information
- Collect stool (pea sized or 2ml of unformed stool) in sterile wide mouth container.
- Avoid contaminating the stool with urine and water.
- If not processed immediately, the specimens should be stored at 4 °C and transported at the same temperature.
- If specimens cannot be processed within 48 hours, they should be kept frozen at or below -20°C, preferably -70°C then transported at the same temperature.
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