LAUSR

Background Numerous multiplex-PCR assays are now available in routine diagnostics but their clinical value is controversial if a clear association between clinical symptoms and the detection of a particular pathogen is missing. The objective of this work was to evaluate a multiplex-PCR assay for the diagnosis of traveller’s diarrhoea (TD) in a case-control study and to assess the concordance with the BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel. Methods Stool samples from cases ( n  = 61) and controls ( n  = 30) were collected during travel and analysed by the GI-EB Screening assay (Seegene) in a case-control study. The concordance with the BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel was expressed as the proportion of participants in which both tests agreed in the category “detected” and “not detected”. Results None of the test-target organisms ( Campylobacter spp ., Clostridioides difficile toxin A/B , Salmonella spp. , Shigella spp ./ enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, E. coli O157 , Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Yersinia enterocolitica) was significantly associated with TD GI-EB Screening assay. The GI-EB Screening assay had an agreement with the BioFire® FilmArray® of 86.8–100%. Conclusion The selection of test-target organisms included in the GI-EB Screening assay appears inappropriate for the diagnostic work-up of TD as none of the detected pathogens was associated with TD. The GI-EB Screening assay had a good concordance with BioFire® FilmArray®.