Biofire Stool Test – GI Panel by FilmArray

What is the Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray?

The Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray is an advanced stool test that helps detect common causes of infectious diarrhoea using multiplex PCR. This method checks a single stool sample for genetic material from multiple bacteria, viruses and parasites at the same time.

The test helps your doctor identify the likely cause of gastroenteritis, especially when diarrhoea is severe, persistent, recurrent or associated with fever, dehydration or blood in stool. It can reduce the time needed to identify the infection compared with traditional stool culture methods.

The test is performed on a stool specimen collected in a sterile leak proof container.

What Does a Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Measure?

The Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray helps identify a wide range of gastrointestinal infection causing organisms:

• Bacterial Pathogens: Detects bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Vibrio, Yersinia enterocolitica and diarrhoea causing Escherichia coli groups
• Toxin Related Detection: Checks for Clostridium difficile toxin A/B target, which may be associated with antibiotic related diarrhoea
• Parasitic Pathogens: Detects parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cayatanensis, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia
• Viral Pathogens: Detects viruses such as Adenovirus F 40/41, Astrovirus, Norovirus, Rotavirus A and Sapovirus
• Co-infection Clues: Helps identify if more than one included pathogen is detected in the same stool sample
• Targeted Care Support: Helps your doctor decide whether antibiotics, supportive care or further evaluation may be needed

Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray: Who Needs It and Why It’s Done

What Symptoms May Call for a Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray?

Doctors may recommend this test if you have symptoms suggesting infectious gastroenteritis:

• Diarrhoea that is severe, persistent or recurrent
• Loose stools with fever or abdominal cramps
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Vomiting with diarrhoea and weakness
• Signs of dehydration, such as reduced urination, dizziness or excessive thirst
• Diarrhoea after travel, contaminated food or suspected outbreak exposure
• Diarrhoea in people with reduced immunity or existing medical conditions

Who Should Get a Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray?

This test may be advised when your doctor needs a broader and faster stool infection evaluation:

• People with severe or prolonged diarrhoea
• People with suspected bacterial, viral or parasitic gastroenteritis
• People with diarrhoea after recent travel or possible foodborne exposure
• People with symptoms during a suspected local or institutional outbreak
• People with reduced immunity who develop diarrhoea
• People with diarrhoea after recent antibiotic use, when Clostridium difficile infection is being considered
• People whose routine stool tests have not clearly identified the cause

Why is a Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Done?

The Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray is done to help detect specific organisms that may be causing gastrointestinal illness. It supports faster diagnosis and helps your doctor plan appropriate treatment or follow up.

Importance of Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray

Many gastrointestinal infections cause similar symptoms, such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever and vomiting. The Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray helps identify multiple possible causes from one stool sample, including bacteria, viruses and parasites.

This test is useful when knowing the exact cause can guide treatment decisions, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and support infection control. Results should always be interpreted with your symptoms, clinical history, exposure details and other test findings.

Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Booking & Reports Metropolis Healthcare

How to Book the Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray and Get Your Reports?

1. Simple Online Booking
   Booking can be done through the Metropolis Healthcare App or website. Select the Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray, choose a convenient time slot, and provide your details for sample collection or sample pickup guidance. You can also visit the nearest Metropolis Lab if you prefer to submit the sample directly at the lab.
2. Safe Home Sample Collection
   Our trained team guides safe stool sample collection and ensures sample pickup while strictly following safety and hygiene protocols.
3. Sample Tracking Updates
   Stay informed at every step. From sample submission to testing, you can track your sample directly through the Metropolis Healthcare website.
4. Accurate Laboratory Testing
   Your sample is processed at our NABL and CAP accredited laboratories, where expert technicians ensure accurate results.
5. Quick and Easy Reports
   Receive your test reports promptly via email, WhatsApp, or by downloading them directly from the Metropolis Healthcare website or app.

Is Home Sample Collection for Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Available Near You?

Yes, Metropolis Healthcare offers home sample collection for Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray. This service saves you time, reduces the need for travel, and ensures professional sample handling while maintaining strict quality standards.

In how much time will I get Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray report?

Reports are usually available after 10 hours once the sample reaches the lab.
Note: Reporting time may vary based on your location.

Where can I see or get Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray results?

Test results from Metropolis Healthcare can be accessed through multiple convenient channels. You can log in to the Metropolis website using your credentials or use the Metropolis Healthcare App to view and download your reports. Additionally, test reports are sent via email or WhatsApp and you also have the option to collect a physical copy directly from the lab.

Interpreting Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Results

What Your Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Results May Indicate?

Understanding your Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray results helps your doctor identify the likely cause of gastrointestinal illness:

How Should You Prepare for a Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray?

The Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray requires a stool sample. Follow these points before your test:

• No fasting required: You can eat and drink normally unless your doctor gives different instructions
• Clinical history required: Share details of diarrhoea duration, fever, vomiting, travel, food exposure, antibiotic use and any known outbreak exposure
• Medication review: Inform your doctor if you are taking antibiotics, antiparasitic medicines, antivirals, probiotics or anti-diarrhoeal medicines
• Correct container use: Collect the stool sample in the sterile leak proof container provided or advised by the lab
• Avoid mixing with urine or water: Try not to let the stool sample mix with urine, toilet water or cleaning products
• Timely submission: Submit the sample as advised so that testing can be performed appropriately

How Is a Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Done? (Step-by-Step Procedure)

The Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray is performed using a stool sample collection and laboratory testing process:

• Preparation: You receive or arrange a sterile leak proof container for stool sample collection
• Sample Collection: About 5 gm of stool specimen is collected in the container as advised
• Container Closure: The container is closed securely after sample collection
• Sample Submission: The stool sample is handed over for testing or submitted at the Metropolis Lab as instructed
• Processing: The stool specimen is tested using multiplex PCR to detect bacterial, viral and parasitic gastrointestinal pathogens

Conditions That May Affect Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Accuracy

Certain factors can influence your Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray results. Knowing these helps your doctor interpret the report correctly:

• Stage of illness: Pathogen levels may vary depending on when the sample is collected during the illness
• Recent treatment: Antibiotics, antiparasitic medicines or antivirals taken before testing may affect pathogen detection
• Organisms not included in the panel: A negative result may occur if your illness is caused by a pathogen that this panel does not test for
• Non-infectious conditions: Symptoms similar to gastroenteritis may occur in ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease
• Colonisation or residual genetic material: A detected result may not always prove that the organism is the only cause of symptoms
• Co-infection: A positive result does not rule out another infection caused by organisms not included in the panel
• Clinical context: Your symptoms, exposure history, immune status and other test results are important for final interpretation

Diseases That A Biofire Stool Test By FilmArray Can Help Detect

• Infectious Gastroenteritis: Infection of the stomach and intestines due to bacteria, viruses or parasites
• Foodborne Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea linked to contaminated food or water exposure
• Traveller’s Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea after travel, commonly linked with bacterial or viral pathogens
• Bacterial Dysentery: Diarrhoea with blood or mucus caused by certain invasive bacteria
• Cholera Like Illness: Severe watery diarrhoea when Vibrio cholera is detected and clinical features match
• Clostridium difficile Associated Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea associated with Clostridium difficile toxin target detection
• Parasitic Diarrhoea: Illness caused by organisms such as Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium or Cyclospora cayatanensis
• Viral Gastroenteritis: Diarrhoea and vomiting caused by viruses such as Norovirus, Rotavirus A, Astrovirus, Adenovirus F 40/41 or Sapovirus

References

1. Buss SN, Leber A, Chapin K, Fey PD, Bankowski MJ, Jones MK, et al. Multicenter evaluation of the BioFire FilmArray gastrointestinal panel for etiologic diagnosis of infectious gastroenteritis. J Clin Microbiol. 2015;53(3):915-925. PMID:25588652.
2. Cybulski RJ Jr, Bateman AC, Bourassa L, Bryan A, Beail B, Matsumoto J, et al. Clinical impact of a multiplex gastrointestinal polymerase chain reaction panel in patients with acute gastroenteritis. Clin Infect Dis. 2018;67(11):1688-1696. PMID:29697761.
3. Torres-Miranda D, Akselrod H, Karsner R, Secco A, Silva-Cantillo D, Siegel MO, et al. Use of BioFire FilmArray gastrointestinal PCR panel associated with reductions in antibiotic use, time to optimal antibiotics, and length of stay. BMC Gastroenterol. 2020;20(1):246. PMID:32727381.
4. Shane AL, Mody RK, Crump JA, Tarr PI, Steiner TS, Kotloff K, et al. 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(12):e45-e80. PMID:29053792.
5. Yoo IH, Kang HM, Suh W, Cho H, Yoo IY, Jo SJ, et al. Quality improvements in management of children with acute diarrhea using a multiplex-PCR-based gastrointestinal pathogen panel. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(7):1175. PMID:34203426.