Molecular

Our laboratory uses a high complexity method known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to perform testing for UTI and Wound infections, Flu/RSV, and COVID-19.
UTI PCR
In the U.S., more than 2.8 million antibiotic resistant infections occur each year (Antimicrobial Resistance Facts and Stats | Antimicrobial Resistance | CDC).
Traditional urine cultures can result in a high number of false negatives. They are biased to grow E-coli, rather than detect slow growing organisms, fastidious and nonaerobic organisms, or most gram-positive organisms. Ultimately, the SUC can miss many bacterial species, which can prevent patients from being prescribed the appropriate treatment (Challenging the UTI Testing Gold Standard: PCR vs. SUC – Clinical Conversations (thermofisher.com)).
PCR testing has proven to be more sensitive and can detect more poly organism cases compared to the traditional culture method. PCR does not rely on bacterial growth in culture but instead relies on genetic material. Our PCR method has a 24-48 hour turnaround time compared to the urine culture method that can take up 72 hours or longer.
Our UTI/Wound Panel tests for 17 bacterial and fungal pathogens and includes 6 Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ABRG).