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The impact of multiplex nested gastrointestinal PCR panel in children with gastroenteridis requiring pediatric
Deniz Ergün1, Pelin Kaçar2, Hıncal Özbakır2
1Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Health Sciences Dr. Behçet Uz Childrens Hospital, İzmir, Turkey. drdenizergun@gmail.com.
Insights
The Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel significantly impacted treatment decisions for nearly half of pediatric gastroenteritis patients. This rapid diagnostic tool aids in optimizing antimicrobial therapy and combating antibiotic resistance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
- Diagnostic Technology
Background:
- Infectious gastroenteritis is a significant cause of illness and death, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
- The BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel is a rapid, multiplex PCR-based method for detecting enteric pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic impact of the Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel in pediatric gastroenteritis patients.
- To assess how GI Panel results influence clinical practice and treatment modalities.
Main Methods:
- A single-center retrospective study included 103 pediatric patients hospitalized with gastroenteritis between August 2021 and January 2024.
- Analysis of GI Panel results to determine pathogen detection rates and impact on treatment.
- Comparison of GI Panel diagnostic accuracy and speed with traditional stool culture methods.
Main Results:
- The GI Panel was positive in 55.3% of patients.
- Bacterial pathogens were identified in 43.8%, viral pathogens in 19.2%, and polymicrobial infections in 36.8%.
- Escherichia coli, Rotavirus, and Norovirus were the most common pathogens identified. Treatment was altered in 49.5% of patients based on GI Panel results.
Conclusions:
- The GI Panel significantly influenced treatment regimens in a substantial proportion of pediatric gastroenteritis cases.
- The test offers advantages in speed and diagnostic accuracy, comparable to stool cultures.
- Implementing the GI Panel can optimize antimicrobial treatment and support the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Abstract:
Infectious gastroenteritis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in nations with middle and low incomes. In a pediatric gastroenteritis patient, the aim was to determine the therapeutic impact of using the Gastrointestinal Panel in our clinical practice. A single-center retrospective study was designed to evaluate children who were admitted to the hospital for gastroenteritis and had a gastrointestinal panel between August 2021 and January 2024. 103 patients who had gastrointestinal (GI) panel results were included in the study. The GI Panel positivity rate among 103 patients was 55.3% (n = 57). Bacterial agents were positive in 25 patients (43.8%), viral agents were found in 11 patients (19.2%), and polymicrobial agents were found positive in 21 patients (36.8%). Escherichia coli (9.1%) was the most common bacterial pathogen, and viral pathogens most frequently included Rotavirus (11.6%) and Norovirus (11.6%). When the effect of the GI Panel test on treatment was determined, the treatment of 51 (49.5%) patients was changed according to GI Panel.
Conclusions:
In our study, the treatment regimen of many patients was adjusted based on the GI panel results in patients presenting with gastroenteritis. GI panel had an important impact on the patients care and optimization according to the principles of antimicrobial treatment. GI panel tests had several advantages such as speed and diagnostic accuracy as good as stool culture.
What Is Known:
• Infectious gastroenteritis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in middle- and low-income countries. • BioFire® FilmArray, Gastrointestinal Panel (BioFire- Biomerieux, France) is a rapid and simple technique that uses nested multiplex PCR to detect gastrointestinal pathogens rapidly.
What Is New:
• In this study, the GI Panel test was found to have a cumulative impact on 49.5% (n=51) of the clinician's treatment modalities. • With its speed and diagnostic sensitivity, the GI Panel may provide clinicians with an important tool in the fight against antibiotic resistance by decreasing antimicrobial drug treatment at the children with gastroenteritis.
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