Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches New Test for Most Common GI Bacteria

The CE-IVD marked test will help physicians accurately identify the cause of an infection, so they can treat it more quickly.

Susan Shepard

October 13, 2022

1 Min Read
Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, computer illustration. These are Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria. The family
Image courtesy of Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo

The CE-IVD marked TaqPath Enteric Bacterial Select Panel, recently introduced by Thermo Fisher Scientific, detects common gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria, enabling clinicians to quickly identify the root cause of an infection and administer the most appropriate treatment to their patients. The panel was validated and registered under IVDD in May.

The test uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to analyze stool samples for a range of common GI bacteria, including Salmonella spp.; Shigella spp./enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC); Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter upsaliensis. It can reliably return results in about two hours, with more than 98% sensitivity and specificity, the company reports. This is much faster than culturing samples in a laboratory, which can take up to two weeks to deliver results.

Testing using the TaqPath Enteric Bacterial Select Panel can be done in one test tube and can be scaled up to fit the needs of a lab by enabling up to 93 samples to be tested in one run. When conducted on Thermo Fisher’s QuantStudio 5 and QuantStudio 5 Dx systems, results from samples are interpreted and generated automatically, which can save time for laboratory personnel.

“The TaqPath Enteric Bacterial Select Panel’s ability to identify and differentiate between the most common diarrhea-causing pathogens will make testing more accessible and provide laboratorians with more agility when identifying GI bacteria,” said Manoj Gandhi, MD, senior medical director of genetic testing solutions at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Detecting these different pathogens in a single test can preserve precious lab resources while still providing clinicians critical information needed to make the right treatment decisions for their patients.”

About the Author

Susan Shepard

Susan Shepard is a freelance contributor to Design News and MD+DI.

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