Clinical Impact of Multiplex Syndromic Panels in the Diagnosis of Bloodstream, Gastrointestinal, Respiratory, and Central Nervous System Infections

Recent technological advances are revolutionizing clinical microbiology. In place of the traditional diagnostic approach in which a clinician suspecting an infectious disease is required to test for the most likely etiology, perform follow-up testing for rarer causes, and then perhaps be left with a diagnosis of exclusion, many laboratories are now offering multiplex syndromic panels to provide a comprehensive diagnostic approach to bloodstream, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central nervous system infections. In addition to simplifying testing and laboratory workflow, multiplex panels can improve patient care, promote antimicrobial stewardship, and assist with infection control and prevention. This review discusses the growing body of evidence demonstrating the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of multiplex panels.