GI Pathogens Profile, multiplex PCR

Catalog information reviewed: August 24, 2026 by the Sunridge Medical clinical team.

What this laboratory test evaluates

The GI Pathogen Profile, using a multiplex PCR system, tests for 14 Viruses, parasites, and bacteria, and offers new opportunities for the rapid, accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of diarrheal illnesses which can improve patient outcomes and clinical success.

While bacteria and parasites are the primary cause of food & water-borne diarrheal illness (48 million infections/year), the vast majority of acute diarrheal illness is caused not by bacteria or parasites, but by viral infections. In fact, Norovirus is the primary gastrointestinal infection occurring in the United States. Even though testing for pathogenic bacteria and parasite is commonly available, there has been limited availability of viral testing until recently.

Acute gastroenteritis may contribute to patient morbidity and even mortality, if the illness progresses to severe dehydration. Also, the identification of reportable diseases is imperative to prevent large outbreaks, especially for highly contagious or food-borne illnesses, and many gastrointestinal illnesses have very similar clinical presentations.

If your patient has diarrheal illness, you need accurate results quickly. Most GI Pathogen Profile results can be provided within one business day of sample receipt with 99.9% overall negative predictive value. As a result, you can begin targeted treatment immediately, for greater therapeutic efficacy and reduced risk of complications & side effects associated with incorrect treatment or unwarranted antimicrobial administration.

Rapid diagnosis allows for better treatment decisions, as antimicrobial agents have no effect on viral illness, and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics may increase bacterial resistance. Certain pathogenic bacterial and parasitic infections may require antimicrobial treatment, while other infections warrant rehydration and supportive therapies. Knowing the difference allows the treating physician to practice good antimicrobial stewardship.

Use the GI Pathogen Profile as a stand-alone test, or as a complement to our Comprehensive Stool Analysis, to test for the presence of viral infections or to differentiate between possible diarrheagenic strains of E. coli.

Useful for:• Chronic or acute diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Travelers diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Fever & vomiting
• Immuno-compromised patients
• Geriatric patients
• Chronic disease patients (heart disease, aortic grafts, diabetes, chronic renal disease)
• Observed cluster or suspected outbreak of diarrheal illness

Additional test information

Viruses, parasites, and bacteria—now you can receive 14 results with 1 test.
Overlapping symptoms—compounded by the lack of testing methods that could identify a full range of viruses, parasites, and bacteria—have historically made GI infections difficult to diagnose. Confidently rule out infectious causes of diarrhea with the test’s 99.9% overall negative predictive value.

Collection and processing

• Sample type: Stool
• Fasting: No
• Estimated laboratory processing: Results should arrive 2 to 5 days after the lab receives samples.

How Sunridge uses laboratory information

Sunridge considers the medical question, symptoms, history, medications, prior results, and whether the finding could change care before recommending testing. A laboratory result is not interpreted in isolation and does not establish a diagnosis by itself.

Before requesting this test

Availability, collection requirements, eligibility, and processing estimates can change. Sunridge reviews each request and, when appropriate, creates the order through Fullscript. Follow the current instructions supplied with the approved order.

Related Sunridge care

Learn how Sunridge approaches Digestive Conditions and ask whether this test is appropriate for your clinical question.