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Review
. 2015 Jun;35(2):461-86.
doi: 10.1016/j.cll.2015.02.006. Epub 2015 Apr 4.

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction tests for detection of pathogens associated with gastroenteritis

Hongwei Zhang  1 , Scott Morrison  1 , Yi-Wei Tang  2
Affiliations
Review

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction tests for detection of pathogens associated with gastroenteritis

Hongwei Zhang et al. Clin Lab Med. 2015 Jun.

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.

Keywords: Gastroenteritis; Laboratory-developed test; Multiplex PCR.

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