Abstract

Objective: Gastroenteritis is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in all age groups all over the world. Multiplex PCR tests give sensitive and specific results in the investigation of bacterial, viral, parasitic agents. In this study, it was aimed to determine the agents of the stool specimens of patients with acute diarrhea by multiplex PCR.
Materials and Methods: Stool sample taken from 471 patients sent to Istanbul Gelişim Laboratories between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016 was included in the study. All stool samples were processed according to manufacturer’s instructions with GastroFinder SMART 18 FAST multiplex PCR test (Pathofinder, Holland). 18 different gastrointestinal pathogens were diagnosed in one study.
Results: Of the 471 patients stool sample included in the study. The agent was negative in 241 (51.2%), while the agent was isolated in 230 (48.8%). 190 (82%) had a single pathogen, 40 had two or more pathogens. Of the 190 samples detected with single agent, 149 (31.6%) were bacterial, 26 (5.5%) were parasitic and 15 (3.1%) were viral agents.
Of the 149 bacterial agents, 108 (23%) was detected as Salmonella spp, 14 (6%) as EHEC, 8 (3.5%) as Clostridium difficile toxin A / B, 8 (3.5%) as Campylobacter spp., 7 (3%) Aeromonas spp., 2 (0.8%) Yersinia enterocolitica, 2 (0.8%) Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Of 26 parasitic agents, 18 (7.8%) was detected as Giardia lamblia, 6 (2.6%) as Dientamoeba fragilis and 2 (0.8%) as Cryptosporidium spp.
Conclusion: Identification of enteric pathogens by multiplex PCR will avoids the use of unnecessary antibiotic treatments