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Test Code GI Panel PCR Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel, PCR

Important Note

Stool must be transferred to Cary Blair transport media within 2 hours of specimen collection.

Additional Codes

Cerner NextGen
GI Panel PCR with C. diff GI Panel PCR

 

Patient Preparation

None Required

Collection Instructions

See Microbiology Specimen Collection Manual for Nursing for complete instructions.

  1. Have patient collect specimen in a suitable container.
  2. IMMEDIATELY after patient has collected the specimen, transfer a portion to the Enteric pathogen transport media (Cary-Blair). Fill to line as directed on the vial. Try to select portions that have blood or mucus.
  3. Cap securely and mix vigorously. Label.

INFANTS IN DIAPERS
NOTES:

  • Diapers that are not lined tend to absorb most of a liquid or semiliquid stool. Powder, etc., may be toxic to bacteria. Therefore, if it is possible, try to maximize collection with a non-absorbent, non-permeable liner placed strategically in the diaper.
  • Try to select portions that have mucus or blood.
  • Specimens in diapers are NOT ACCEPTABLE.
  • Transport media will preserve specimen for several days. However, prompt delivery facilitates timely results.

PROCEDURE:

  1. Place liner in diaper.
  2. As soon as there is a specimen, transfer a portion to the enteric pathogen transport media (Cary-Blair). Fill to line as directed on label.

 

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection

  • Cary Blair filled with stool up to the indicated mark on the container.
    • Preferred container:

 

  • Approved alternative container:

Transport and Storage

Specimens should be processed and tested as soon as possible.

If storage is required, specimens can be held:

  • At room temperature (15-25° Celsius) or refrigerated (2-8° Celsius) for up to 4 days.
  • Stool must be transferred to Cary Blair transport media within 2 hours of specimen collection.

Note: Bleach can damage organisms/nucleic acids within the specimen, potentially causing false negative results. Contact between bleach and specimens during collection, disinfection, and testing procedures should be avoided.

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Possible results for each organism include Detected, Not Detected, N/A, and Invalid.

Normal patient population is Not Detected for all organisms

Critical Results
  • Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) stx1/stx2
  • E. coli O157
  • Shigella/Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
  • Clostridium difficile toxin A/B
  • Vibrio Cholerae – MUST BE CONFIRMED BY STATE

Reflex Testing

All preliminary positive Norovirus results and/ or Vibrio spp. will be sent for confirmatory testing. 

Limitations

None Listed

Useful For/ Methodology

The BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel is a qualitative multiplexed nucleic acid-based in vitro diagnostic test intended for use with BioFire FilmArray Systems. The BioFire GI Panel is capable of the simultaneous detection and identification of nucleic acids from multiple bacteria, viruses, and parasites directly from stool samples in Cary Blair transport media obtained from individuals with signs and/or symptoms of gastrointestinal infection.

The following bacteria (including several diarrheagenic E. coli/Shigella pathotypes), parasites, and viruses are identified using the BioFire GI Panel:

  • Campylobacter (C. jejuni/C. coli/C. upsaliensis)
  • Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) toxin A/B
  • Plesiomonas shigelloides
  • Salmonella
  • Vibrio (V. parahaemolyticus/V. vulnificus/V. cholerae), including specific identification of Vibrio cholerae 
  • Yersinia enterocolitica
  • Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC)
  • Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC)
  • Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) lt/st
  • Shiga-like toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) stx1/stx2 (including specific identification of the E. coli O157 serogroup within STEC)
  • Shigella/Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC)
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Cyclospora cayetanensis
  • Entamoeba histolytica
  • Giardia lamblia (also known as G. intestinalis and G. duodenalis)
  • Adenovirus F 40/41
  • Astrovirus
  • Norovirus GI/GII
  • Rotavirus A
  • Sapovirus (Genogroups I, II, IV, and V)