Criteria & Principles
Testing Considerations: Treatment for many GI pathogens does not decrease duration of illness. Only test in certain patient populations to avoid overtreatment and associated harms. Beginning in February 4, 2025, the Duke Clinical Microbiology Laboratory will discontinue stool culture and antigen testing, and transition to a multiplex molecular test for patients with community-onset gastroenteritis with signs of or at risk for severe disease and who are ≤3 days from hospital admission (see attached announcement for specifics).
BioFire GI Panel is restricted to the following patient populations:
- Inpatient ≤ 3 days from admission with moderate to severe diarrhea with suspected infectious cause
- Immunocompromised/Transplant patient
Treatment Considerations
Treatment for many GI pathogens does not decrease duration of illness. Recommendations in the attachment section are provided with a goal of minimizing unintended consequences to the patient. Patient specific factors (e.g. immunocompromised host) should influence treatment decisions.