Key result
The BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel detected pathogens in 73.3% of stool samples from children with acute diarrhea, with bacterial pathogens predominating.
Why the study?
Infectious gastroenteritis causes major pediatric morbidity in India, and conventional diagnostic methods often miss enteric pathogens, leading to empirical antimicrobial use.
Does multiplex PCR testing improve pathogen detection in children ≤5 years with acute diarrhea?
Cross-Sectional (n=30)
Does multiplex PCR testing improve pathogen detection in children ≤5 years with acute diarrhea?
Rapid syndromic molecular testing using multiplex PCR provides a high diagnostic yield for identifying enteric pathogens and co-infections in pediatric gastroenteritis.
May enhance etiology identification in pediatric IGE; leaves open impact on antimicrobial stewardship.
Infectious gastroenteritis (IGE) is a major cause of pediatric morbidity in India. Conventional diagnostic methods often fail to identify the complete spectrum of enteric pathogens, resulting in empirical antimicrobial use. We analyzed 30 stool samples from children ≤5 years with acute diarrhea using the BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel. Pathogens were detected in 73.3% of samples, with bacterial pathogens predominating, particularly Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (33.3%) and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (20.0%). Rotavirus A (16.7%) was the most common viral pathogen. Co-infections occurred in 46.7% of positive cases, highlighting the value of rapid syndromic molecular testing for accurate diagnosis.
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Dakshinamurthy et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Acute diarrhea (n=30). BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel was evaluated on Pathogen detection. The BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel detected pathogens in 73.3% of stool samples from children with acute diarrhea, with bacterial pathogens predominating.
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