Diagnostic syndromic multiplex approaches for gastrointestinal infections

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Gastrointestinal diseases caused by infectious pathogens are a significant global health issue, particularly affecting children and developing nations.
• Prompt and precise identification of gastrointestinal pathogens is crucial for effective treatment initiation.
• Multiplex molecular gastrointestinal panels provide a sensitive method for simultaneously detecting multiple pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the capabilities and constraints of various multiplex gastrointestinal panels available on the market.
• To compare syndromic, bacteria-specific, parasite-specific, and virus-specific multiplex panels.

Main Methods:

• Review and comparison of multiplex gastrointestinal panels approved by the FDA or CE-marked for in-vitro diagnostics.
• Analysis of 10 syndromic, 14 bacteria-specific, 7 parasite-specific, and 8 virus-specific multiplex panels.

Main Results:

• A diverse range of multiplex gastrointestinal panels are available due to advancements in diagnostic technology.
• The selection of a syndromic multiplex panel should prioritize enhancing patient care.
• Customized diagnostic algorithms for gastrointestinal infections are recommended, tailored to institutional needs and patient demographics.

Conclusions:

• Multiplex gastrointestinal panels represent a significant advancement in diagnosing gastrointestinal infections.
• Future multiplex panels could be enhanced by incorporating detection of antimicrobial resistance, toxigenic Clostridioides difficile, and SARS-CoV-2.
• Hospital-specific diagnostic algorithms are essential for optimizing the use of these panels.