title: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction tests for detection of pathogens associated with gastroenteritis.
abstract: A wide range of enteric pathogens can cause infectious gastroenteritis. Conventional diagnostic algorithms are time-consuming and often lack sensitivity and specificity. Advances in molecular technology have provided new clinical diagnostic tools. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing has been used in gastroenterology diagnostics in recent years. This article presents a review of recent laboratory-developed multiplex PCR tests and current commercial multiplex gastrointestinal pathogen tests. It focuses on two commercial syndromic multiplex tests: Luminex xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel and BioFire FilmArray gastrointestinal test. Multiplex PCR tests have shown superior sensitivity to conventional methods for detection of most pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Luminex Corporation, 12212 Technology Boulevard, Austin, TX 78727, USA.
authors.forename: Hongwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Luminex Corporation, 12212 Technology Boulevard, Austin, TX 78727, USA.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, 1275 York Avenue, S428, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: tangy@mskcc.org.
authors.forename: Yi-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Gastroenteritis; Laboratory-developed test; Multiplex PCR