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Women experience unique health challenges. The higher hospitalization rates among women reflect this. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2018, more women experienced two or more hospital stays within 12 months as compared to men.1 According to the NICHD, women-specific health conditions can be broadly categorized into the following:2 Gynecological health and disorders Pregnancy issues Disorders related to infertility Others (e.g., Turner syndrome, Rhett syndrome, ovarian and cervical cancers) Issues related to women’s overall health and wellness (e.g., osteoporosis, menopause, bone health) Gynecological health, the branch of medicine that focuses on female reproductive health, is […]

Given that post-operative urinary tract infections can be common after urologic stone surgery, prophylactic antibiotics are typically given to patients before their ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) procedure to break up urologic stones as a standard of care. The administration of antimicrobial prophylaxis is primarily based on prior urinalysis or urine culture results in accordance with the AUA/Endourology Society Guideline for Surgical Management of Kidney Stones. Additionally, several studies show the effectiveness of prophylactic treatment. In a study published in the BJUI, pre-operative prophylactic antibiotics were shown to be successful in reducing bacteriuria, therefore reducing the risk of post-operative infections at the […]

Recalcitrant onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection that is prone to relapse. Traditional treatment using potassium hydroxide and culture diagnosis is costly and time-consuming. However, qualitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) molecular identification methods are extremely specific, quantitative and sensitive, offering superior detection of fungal diversity in fingernail or toenail infections. These methods allow for faster turnaround (up to 3 days) and offer more accuracy in customized treatment of a patient’s cutaneous infection, which can result in better diagnosis and treatment. Currently, generalized treatment for recalcitrant onychomycosis targets Trichophyton rubrum (T. Rubrum); however, these treatments overlook the […]

Bacteria are ubiquitous in the environment, and a subset of them are pathogenic to humans, potentially causing serious and even fatal infections.1 Bacterial infections are associated with a high public health burden, and their treatment poses serious challenges. Researchers continue to discover new pathogenic bacterial species and variants, such as the causative pathogens of Legionnaire’s disease and Lyme disease, which were identified in the 1970s.1 Moreover, the number of immunosuppressed individuals, who are especially vulnerable to opportunistic infections, is increasing in communities, in part due to the use of immunosuppressive medications and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).1 However, scientists have […]

The timely and reliable identification of causative microorganisms is critical to ensure the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Traditionally, microbial cultures have been utilized to identify causative pathogens and test their antimicrobial susceptibility.1 However, this approach may encounter serious challenges. Thus, antibiotic treatment suppresses pathogens and interferes with their culture, even if it does not completely eradicate them.2 Moreover, a number of microorganisms are difficult or impossible to culture. qPCR + next-generation sequencing (NGS) represents an innovative and reliable alternative for pathogen identification and diagnosis in cases where more traditional techniques fail, such as after antimicrobial treatment and […]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex, multifaceted problem with epidemiological, therapeutic, and preventive implications. It has been defined as changes that occur in bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites over time and cause them to no longer respond to antimicrobial treatment.1 As a result, infections become harder to treat, and there is an increased risk of disease spread, severe morbidity, and mortality.1 Due to the alarming spread of AMR  and its severe consequences, the World Health Organization (WHO) has named it one of the top 10 global public health threats.1 AMR History and Today Antimicrobial resistance has existed as a natural […]

Specimen collection and quality are undoubtedly among the most critical steps in diagnosing a disease. This is because the method of sample collection and quality of samples obtained significantly affects the results of the diagnostic tests and, hence, the accuracy of diagnosis. In turn, this influences the appropriateness and effectiveness of medical care delivered to patients. A study performed in 2018 reported that the overall laboratory error rate is 0.3%; 65% of which were due to pre-analytical errors, which includes1: Inappropriate sample volume Poor sample collection Poor sample handling and processing Poor sample quality Different types of samples — blood, […]

Molecular testing is personalized healthcare at its most advanced. Still, because molecular diagnostics is a relatively young field fueled by new and emerging technologies, it’s essential for physicians to capture detailed data to establish medical necessity, determine payer responsibility and process reimbursement. Comprehensive test requisition forms and precise medical coding to support medical necessity are especially important for proprietary lab analyses (PLAs), such as those offered by MicroGenDX, and out-of-network lab tests, an umbrella under which many DNA-based diagnostics fall. As molecular tests may leave some patients facing out-of-pocket expenses, it’s also paramount for physicians to discuss this potential based […]