ArticleFrontiers in public health2026
Gastrointestinal pathogens detected by a multiplex PCR panel in a tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2023-2024).
Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background/objectives: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have transformed the diagnosis of infectious gastroenteritis by enabling rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple enteric pathogens. However, contemporary data describing pathogen distribution, age-specific patterns, co-infection, and seasonality in Saudi Arabia remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of gastrointestinal pathogens detected by multiplex PCR in a tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of stool specimens tested using a multiplex gastrointestinal PCR panel at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, between January 2023 and December 2024. Demographic data, detected pathogens, co-infection status, and timing of testing were analyzed. Repeat samples from the same patient within 30 days were excluded. Descriptive analyses assessed pathogen distribution by age group and season, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with co-infection. Results: Of 9,122 stool specimens processed, 2,866 positive tests from 2,189 unique patients remained after excluding 30-day repeat samples. Positivity was 31.4%, higher in pediatrics than adult patients (36.5% vs. 28.0%, Conclusion: Multiplex PCR testing revealed a diverse, age-dependent spectrum of gastrointestinal pathogens with a substantial burden of co-infections. These findings highlight the importance of age-specific interpretation and careful clinical correlation of multiplex PCR results.
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