MicroGenDX Blog

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]