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Order Code GI Panel B Gastrointestinal Panel

Important Note

GI Panel is only to be done once every 7 days.

Infectious

Additional Codes

Epic Order ID LAB9380

Sub activity Type

Microbiology PCR

Collection

Standard stool collection procedures.

Reference clients/clinics: Collect an unpreserved stool specimen in a clea container and submit on a cool pack.

Specimen Type

Stool

Minimum Volume

200mcl

Transport Container

Specimen cup

 

Rejection Criteria

Rectal swab

Improperly preserved specimens (including formaldehyde)

Specimens collected from a Diaper

Specimens from patients who have had a rectally administered procedure or medicine

Performance

Stat turn around time 2 hours

Notes

Rapid and accurate diagnostic testing for gastrointestinal pathogens may help identify which patients to isolate or cohort faster, and determine if antibiotic therapy is appropriate. This panel includes testing for:

  • Campylobacter
  • Clostridium difficile toxin A/B
  • Plesiomonas shigelloides
  • Salmonella
  • Vibrio
  • Vibrio cholera
  • Yersinia enterocolitica
  • Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
  • Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) lt/st
  • Shiga-like toxin producing 
  • Shigella / Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Cyclospora cayetanensis
  • Entamoeba histolytica
  • Giardia lamblia
  • Adenovirus F40/41
  • Astrovirus
  • Norovirus GI/GII
  • Rotavirus A
  • Sapovirus (I, II, IV, and V)

Reflex

If Clostridium difficile toxin A/B is detected, GDH and toxin will be performed.

If Shigella, Salmonella, or E. Coli 0157 is detected, a sensitivity will be performed.

Clinical Signifigance

Infectious gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, which can be more severe in infants, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems. Conventional diagnostic procedures involve culture, microscopy, and/or stool antigen tests for the detection of enteric pathogens, and include enrichment steps, use of selective culture media, biochemical identification, serotyping, and resistance profiling, all of which can take significant time prior to identification of the etiologic agent.

 

A rapid multiplexed nucleic acid test such as the GI panel by PCR can detect the possible etiology of gastroenteritis from one sample at one time and can allow clinicians to more quickly identify and treat the disease. Sources of potential outbreaks may also be able to be identify and investigated quicker.