Improvements Through the Use of a Rapid Multiplex PCR Enteric Pathogen Detection Kit in Children With Hematochezia

Children presenting for emergency department (ED) care with bloody diarrhea (i.e. hematochezia) represent a diagnostic challenge. Infectious enteric pathogens - Salmonella, Shigella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) - are at the top of the differential diagnosis list. STEC is of greatest concern because ~15% of infected children develop the Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Our team has demonstrated that antibiotic administration to STEC-infected children increases the risk of developing HUS while dehydration is associated with mortality. Rapidly identifying children with STEC infection can reduce unnecessary resource use in uninfected children while providing them to those with confirmed STEC infection. The study team will conduct a prospective ED-based study that will randomly allocate 60 children to either standard care as dictated by the treating physician or to the use of a 22-pathogen, nucleic acid based, 1-hour run time diagnostic test. The study team will evaluate the impact of testing on clinical resource use, clinical outcomes, costs and patient satisfaction.