Rapid Molecular GI Panel Test (BioFire FilmArray)

Rapid molecular GI Panel Test (BioFire FilmArray)

It is a panel of tests done to find the infectious agent responsible for causing gastroenteritis. The agents causing gastrointestinal infections are also called gastrointestinal pathogens. This test is also called biofire film array GI (gastrointestinal) panel test. Gastroenteritis is a disease where there is inflammation of the intestines. It is also called as stomach flu or stomach bug. It can spread from one person to another.

Gastroenteritis is an infection which can be due to bacteria, virus, or sometimes parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the most common type.

The common symptoms of gastroenteritis are:

The common symptoms of pneumonia are:

• Loose motions( may be associated with blood)
• Stomach pain/cramps
• Fever
• Nausea/vomiting
• Headache
• Body ache
• Weakness/fatigue

Excessive loose motions and vomiting can lead to dehydration (decrease water in the body).

Dehydration can cause the following symptoms:

• Excessive thirst
• Decreased urine output
• Dizziness
• Weakness

Gastroenteritis is usually mild and self limiting but sometimes it may worsen and even become life threatening. This severe form of gastroenteritis occurs usually in infants, young children, old age people, and people with weakened immune system.

Why is Rapid Molecular BioFire GI Panel test prescribed?

The health care provider may order this film array GI panel test in those patients diagnosed with gastroenteritis in order to find the etiological agent responsible for the disease. This helps in providing prompt and appropriate treatment, thus preventing severe morbidity and mortality.

The advantages of Rapid molecular biofire GI Panel test are:

• Quick result
• High sensitivity/high specificity
• Easy to perform
• Accurate and comprehensive result
• Shorten hospital stay
• Reduce cost of treatment
• Reduction in unnecessary antibiotic use
• Reduction in unnecessary use of procedures like endoscopies and imaging

This GI panel test is usually prescribed in the following cases:

• Blood in stool
• Loose motions with fever, severe stomach pain or signs of generalised infection
• Moderate to severe disease
• Symptoms for more than 7 Days
• People with low /immunity

What are the components of the FilmArray GI Panel test?

It is syndrome test that targets the following:

• Bacteria-Campylobacter (jejuni, coli, upsaliensis), Clostridium difficle(Toxin A/B), Plesiomonas shigelloides, Salmonella, Vibrio (cholerae, vulnificus, parahaemolyticus), Vibrio cholerae,Yesinia enterocolitica Diarrheagenic E.coli /shigella:- Enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC) , Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), Shiga-like toxin –producing E.coli (STEC),E.coli O157, Enteroinvasive E.coli(EIEC)
• Viruses-Adenovirus F40/41, Astrovirus, Norovirus GI/GII, Rotavirus A, Sapovirus (I, II, IV, V)
• Parasites-Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia

Procedure and prerequisites

This test uses multiplex PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology to quickly find out etiological agent of gastroenteritis in a particular patient. It is done on stool sample taken in Cary Blair medium.