Gastrointestinal PCR Assay Offers Rapid, Culture-Free Pathogen Identification

Gastroenteritis involves inflammation of the stomach and intestines' lining, typically characterized by diarrhea and/or vomiting. Gastrointestinal pathogens can cause life-threatening diseases, especially among children, immunosuppressed individuals, and the elderly. While most cases resolve within days, severe or persistent cases may necessitate hospitalization. Testing stool samples for potential causative agents—bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins—creates a substantial diagnostic burden in healthcare facilities. Now, a new syndromic panel for gastrointestinal infections that identifies 26 gastroenteritis-causing pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and related toxins, aims to streamline routine procedures and enhance diagnostic efficiency.

Bruker Corporation’s (Billerica, MA, USA) new LiquidArray Gastrointestinal is a syndromic panel for gastrointestinal infections. The assay employs LiquidArray, a next-generation multiplexing technology, to detect up to 26 pathogens from stool samples using a two-well format that supports routine laboratory throughput needs. Introduced on the high-precision FluoroCycler XT thermocycler, LiquidArray merges innovative probe and thermocycling technologies with results-at-a-glance visualization for simultaneous analysis of multiple targets from a single sample. The integrated FluoroSoftware XT-IVD generates easy-to-understand results, expediting clinical decisions.

Image: The LiquidArray Gastrointestinal assay detects up to 26 pathogens from stool samples in a two-well format (Photo courtesy of Bruker)

LiquidArray Gastrointestinal is validated on the GenoXtract fleXT, a dependable, automated system for extracting nucleic acid from patient samples and setting up PCR plates. Barcode-supported robotic sorting minimizes manual intervention. Validated processing of LiquidArray Gastrointestinal on the GenoXtract fleXT offers a convenient walk-away solution tailored for dynamic laboratory environments. This equips high-throughput clinical labs with a fully integrated workflow from sample to result. The test is validated for use with stool samples, and a stool buffer developed for LiquidArray Gastrointestinal enables stabilization and storage of samples to be tested. The kit includes reagents for up to 48 reactions.

“The new LiquidArray Gastrointestinal is a next-generation syndromic panel with amazing pathogen coverage. It is ideal for laboratories which are interested in a broad screening approach to detect most pathogens in one run,” said Dr. Wolfgang Pusch, President of the Bruker Microbiology & Infection Diagnostics division.

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Bruker Corporation