Updates on the profile of GenMark's ePlex blood culture identification fungal pathogen panel.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical and economical burdens of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) remain substantial despite advances in diagnostics and therapeutics. Major challenges in diagnosis of IFDs are difficulty in obtaining appropriate specimens for histopathology examination and prolonged turnaround time for fungal cultures. Molecular assays for direct detection of fungal DNA from sterile sites such as blood can provide definitive diagnosis of IFDs in a reduced turnaround time. The ePlex BCID-FP Panel from GenMark Diagnostics, a member of the Roche corporation is currently the largest commercial multiplex fungal pathogen identification panel for blood cultures and has potential for early optimization of treatment and improvement of patient outcomes.

AREAS COVERED: This article provides a comprehensive review of the ePlex BCID-FP Panel including its market profile, assay performance characteristics, clinical profile, and cost-effectiveness. Other currently available diagnostic assays for IFDs are also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION: Although molecular based assays for detection of fungal pathogens such as the ePlex BCID-FP Panel have increased diagnostic capacity for IFDs and provide timelier results compared to the conventional methods, there are still unmet clinical needs in the diagnosis of IFDs. Further development of novel assays is needed to fulfill the diagnostic gaps.