Evaluation of the ePlex Respiratory Pathogen Panel 2 to detect viral and bacterial pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in nasopharyngeal swabs

ABSTRACT

The simultaneous detection and specific identification of multiple pathogens from patients exhibiting respiratory symptoms is important for directing pathogen-specific treatments. The ePlex Respiratory Pathogen Panel 2 (ePlex RP2 panel) is a multiplex molecular test for the qualitative detection of many viral and bacterial pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory tract infections. The ePlex RP2 panel received FDA emergency use authorization for nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected in viral transport media. In the evaluation using the ePlex RP2, a total of 67 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were compared to the ePlex RP panel and the CDC 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR assay as the reference methods. The overall agreement of the ePlex RP2 panel was 100%. The ePlex RP2 panel could detect Omicron BA1 and BA2. The ePlex RP2 panel is a rapid, sensitive and specific "specimen-to-answer" platform to detect simultaneously multiple viruses and bacteria in the upper respiratory tract.