EntericPlex
Research Use Only
SpeeDx has developed four concise EntericPlex panels that target common parasitic, bacterial or viral pathogens that cause gastroenteritis.
Panels currently available are:
EntericPlex Parasite
EntericPlex Bacteria I
EntericPlex Bacteria II
EntericPlex Virus
These right-sized qPCR panels are cost-effective and provide rapid results whilst maximizing your sample throughput
With up to five carefully selected targets, each EntericPlex panel will suit your investigative needs
Why research gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis is a leading cause of mortality in children under four, especially in the developing world[1], and within the United States it is estimated to cause 179 million illnesses annually[2].
In otherwise healthy adults, it is usually uncomfortable but self-limiting. Treatment recommendations vary by pathogen, with some requiring only supportive care, and others requiring antibiotics or specific avoidance of antibiotics [3].
Infection may be accompanied by abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting and fatigue and caused by a variety of pathogens with overlapping syndromes (see table 1).
High risk individuals that develop complications of acute diarrhoea include infants, young children, immuno-compromised and the elderly [4].
Organism | Clinical Features | Epidemiology | Recommended Treatment |
Shigella | Fever, prostration, bloody diarrhea, vomiting | Fecal-oral transmission, contaminated food or surfaces | Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin |
Salmonella enterica | Fever, prostration, bloody diarrhea | Contact with infected animals, contaminated food or water | Supportive care in most cases |
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli | Abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea followed by bloody diarrhea, low-grade fever or no fever | Contaminated food, fecal-oral transmission | Antibiotics are contraindicated, Supportive care |
Campylobacter | Fever, watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain | Contact with infected animals, contaminated food or water | Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin |
Vibrio spp. | Watery diarrhea | Contaminated water or shellfish | Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, or Azithromycin |
Yersinia enterocolitica | Abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis, diarrhea | Contact with infected animals, contaminated food (particularly undercooked pork, raw milk) or water | Supportive care |
Plesiomonas shigelloides | Watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain | Contaminated water or shellfish | Supportive care in most cases |
Aeromonas spp. | Persistent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever | Fecal-oral transmission, contaminated food | Supportive care in most cases |
Entamoeba histolytica | Intermittent diarrhea, abdominal pain | Often associated with travel | Metranidazole or Tinidazole |
Giardia intestinalis | Watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, intermittent nausea | Typically waterborne transmission | Tinidazole, Metronidazole, or Nitazoxanide |
Cryptosporidium spp. | Watery diarrhea | Contaminated food or water (often swimming pools, hot tubs, etc), contact with infected people or animals | Nitazoxanide |
Source: Merck Manual, Professional Version, 2025
Panels available
The EntericPlex Parasite panel focuses on the most common parasitic causes of acute infectious diarrheal syndrome: Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp., as well as Entamoeba histolytica, Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis spp.
EntericPlex Bacteria I panel detects organisms that account for 95% of bacterial infectious gastroenteritis [5]. Bacteria cause about 15% of gastroenteritis cases in children, the most common types being Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter species [6].
To supplement the EntericPlex Bacteria I assay, SpeeDx offers EntericPlex Bacteria II as an extended panel. These targets are designed to further support your research.
The final puzzle piece for our comprehensive Gastrointenstional panel is the EntericPlex Virus panel which simultaneously detects and differentiates: norovirus (GI/GII), rotavirus A, sapovirus (I, II, IV, V), astrovirus, and adenovirus (F40/41).
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References:
2. Schmidt MA, Groom HC, Rawlings AM, Mattison CP, Salas SB, Burke RM, Hallowell BD, Calderwood LE, Donald J, Balachandran N, Hall AJ. Incidence, Etiology, and Healthcare Utilization for Acute Gastroenteritis in the Community, United States. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Nov;28(11):2234-2242. doi: 10.3201/eid2811.220247. PMID: 36285882; PMCID: PMC9622243.
3.Guerrant RL, Van Gilder T, Steiner TS, et al. Practice guidelines for the management of infectious diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;32:331-50.
4. Hewison CJ, Heath CH, Ingram PR. Stool culture. Australian Family Physician vol. 41, no. 10, October 2012
5. MMWR, CDC, April 19, 2013, Vol 62:15
6. Webb, A; Starr, M (April 2005). “Acute gastroenteritis in children”. Australian Family Physician. 34 (4): 227–31. PMID 15861741
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We are committed to supporting continued scientific discovery and generation of clinically relevant data. Collaborations with key researchers and clinicians around the globe help us improve diagnostics and address urgent clinical needs.