MicroGenDX Blog

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) can be used to diagnose infectious diseases more rapidly and more accurately than traditional methods such as cultures, gram staining, and other biochemical and molecular tests that are organism-specific. In one reported case, NGS correctly identified the infectious organism after nearly 40 different diagnostic tests on 10 sample types. In another scenario, in cases of sepsis, timely targeted treatment with rapid identification of the microbial pathogen can be lifesaving. Instead of delaying diagnosis by ordering and waiting for organism-specific microbiology identification and susceptibility results, MicroGenDX’s qPCR+NGS can identify the bacterial, viral, or fungal source of infection and […]

Thanks to advances in sequencing technologies, the complete genome of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus was determined rapidly at the outset of the pandemic. This has proven essential in understanding how SARS-CoV-2 infects humans and causes disease. The SARS-CoV-2 genome contains genetic information for the production of viral spike protein (S protein), which is needed for the virus to attach to and infect human cells. Each viral particle is covered by numerous S proteins, allowing it to bind to a unique protein receptor found on cells in the body. Genomic surveillance — the identification, tracking and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants — […]

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) continue to pose a substantial healthcare burden worldwide and remain to be one of the most frequent infections seen globally. In the U.S., both adult male and female UTIs account for the most clinic visits every year. According to data gathered by the NIH, around 7 million annual clinic visits were due to UTIs, and there were more than 1 million UTI cases among children. UTIs also accounted for about 1 million urgent care visits and 100,000 hospitalization cases every year. Because UTIs are often treated empirically — where patients are often prescribed antibiotics without a […]

Next-generation sequencing is more effective, efficient, and designed to put patient well-being first compared to microbiology cultures. In healthcare, efficacy and speed are cardinal factors determining courses of analysis, diagnosis, and treatment. However, infectious disease diagnostics, microbiological culture technology — a method dating back 160 years— is still the standard method for determining types and quantities of organisms. However, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a newer and more accurate method employed by MicroGenDX to generate accurate life-changing — and often life-saving — results in a short timeframe to better suit patient outcomes. Originating from advancements in DNA sequencing, MicroGenDX NGS takes […]