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Updated: Jun 18, 2025
Cost-effective Method for Microbial Source Tracking Using Specific Human and Animal Viruses
Published on: December 3, 2011
Precautionary findings on the utilization of FilmArray® to detect human astroviruses in fecal and sewage samples
Jonghyun Bae1, Chika Takano2, Sheikh Ariful Hoque3
1Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The FilmArray® Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel is a modern, sensitive, and comprehensive stool testing technique for identifying common gastrointestinal pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Its increasing demand is due to ease of operation and automation. Pathogens, particularly viruses, undergo constant genetic evolution. For instance, human astrovirus (HAstV), which causes gastroenteritis in children, the elderly, and immune-compromised individuals, can be identified by the GI Panel. HAstV has evolved into several clades, including the classic (HAstV1-8), novel Melbourne (MLB1-3), and Virginia (VA1-5) clades. This study investigated whether the GI Panel accurately detects all HAstV clades. A total of 12 stool and three sewage water (SW) samples were selected post-confirmation of distinct HAstV strains using conventional RT-PCR and sequence-based genotyping for reassessment by the GI Panel. The GI Panel accurately detected the classic HAstV in stool and SW samples. However, our results confirm the GI Panel's inability to detect the novel MLB (MLB1-3) and VA (VA2) clades in fecal samples, raising the possibility of false-negative results in HAstV testing. Although the GI Panel is useful for identifying a variety of gastrointestinal pathogens in stool and SW samples in a single test, our findings highlight the need to exercise caution when interpreting HAstV results from the GI Panel.
Insights
The FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel accurately detects classic human astrovirus (HAstV) strains. However, it fails to identify novel HAstV clades in stool samples, potentially leading to false-negative results.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Virology
- Molecular diagnostics
Background:
- The FilmArray Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel is a widely used diagnostic tool for identifying gastrointestinal pathogens.
- Human astrovirus (HAstV) causes gastroenteritis and has evolved into multiple clades, including classic, Melbourne (MLB), and Virginia (VA) clades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the FilmArray GI Panel's accuracy in detecting diverse human astrovirus (HAstV) clades.
- To assess the potential for false-negative HAstV detection by the GI Panel.
Main Methods:
- Samples including stool and sewage water (SW) with confirmed HAstV strains were retested using the FilmArray GI Panel.
- Conventional RT-PCR and sequence-based genotyping were used for initial HAstV strain confirmation.
Main Results:
- The FilmArray GI Panel successfully detected classic HAstV strains in both stool and SW samples.
- The GI Panel demonstrated an inability to detect novel HAstV clades, specifically MLB (MLB1-3) and VA (VA2), in fecal specimens.
Conclusions:
- While the FilmArray GI Panel is effective for broad gastrointestinal pathogen detection, its performance with novel HAstV clades is limited.
- Caution is advised when interpreting HAstV results from the GI Panel due to potential missed detections of emerging clades.
