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Evaluation of the BioFire FilmArray® GastrointestinalPanel in a Midwestern Academic Hospital
C N Murphy1, R C Fowler2, P C Iwen2,3
1Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA. caitlin.murphy@unmc.edu.
Summary
The BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel (GIP) offers high detection rates for gastrointestinal pathogens and coinfections, streamlining infectious gastroenteritis testing. This molecular test shows promise for improving patient care and public health surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Traditional stool culture and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) methods for detecting gastrointestinal pathogens are time-consuming and may have limitations.
- The BioFire FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel (GIP) is a multiplex nucleic acid test designed for rapid detection of multiple GI pathogens.
- Evaluating the performance of novel diagnostic platforms is crucial for improving laboratory workflows and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the detection rate of gastrointestinal pathogens using the BioFire FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel (GIP).
- To determine the incidence of coinfections among patients with gastrointestinal infections.
- To evaluate the culture recovery rate of bacterial pathogens identified by the GIP for public health surveillance.
Main Methods:
- A total of 2257 stool specimens were analyzed using the BioFire FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel (GIP) over a 1-year period.
- Clostridium difficile colonization was assessed using antigen/toxin EIA and confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Detection rates, coinfection incidence, and bacterial culture recovery were calculated for GIP-identified pathogens.
Main Results:
- The GIP detected at least one pathogen in 40.4% of specimens, with coinfections found in 7.8%.
- The most common pathogens identified were C. difficile (15.2%), norovirus (8.9%), and enteropathogenic E. coli (7.1%).
- Bacterial culture recovery rates varied significantly by pathogen, ranging from 77% for Salmonella to 30% for Yersinia enterocolitica. Toxin production was confirmed in only 42.7% of C. difficile positive samples.
Conclusions:
- The BioFire FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel (GIP) demonstrates high detection rates for GI pathogens and coinfections, offering a streamlined approach to diagnosing infectious gastroenteritis.
- The GIP significantly reduces the need for multiple individual tests, improving laboratory efficiency with limited hands-on time.
- Further studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical impact of the GIP on patient management and public health practices.
