RT PCR Testing
The Polymerase Chain Reaction is a technique used to analyze DNA from very minute amounts in clinical samples by a process of amplification of the DNA strands.
For RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2, the Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction first synthesizes cDNA (complementary DNA) from RNA by reverse transcription (RT), then amplifies the specific cDNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
How PCR Test is Done
The polymerase enzyme moves along the segment of DNA, reading its code and assembling a copy, repeated hundreds of thousands of times over the course of a few hours, thereby creating enough material to undergo analysis.
Since PCR was invented in 1983 by Kary Mullis while working at Cetus, one of the first biotechnology companies, PCR testing has become a preferred method of detection for many infectious organisms, including respiratory, genito-urinary, skin and wound, gastrointestinal, and even ophthalmological infections.
PCR Testing Labs – All the Same?
Quest Diagnostics Respiratory Panel PCR Test
This assay will not detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
Influenza A
Influenza A subtype H1
Influenza A subtype H3
Influenza B
Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) 1
Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) 2
Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) 3
Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) 4
Rhinovirus/Enterovirus
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) A
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) B
Adenovirus
Coronavirus 229E
Coronavirus OC43
Coronavirus NL63
Coronavirus HKU1
Human Bocavirus
Chlamydophila pneumoniae
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Labcorp Respiratory Panel PCR Test
Adenovirus; Bordetella pertussis; Chlamydophila pneumoniae; coronavirus 229E; coronavirus HKU1; coronavirus NL63; coronavirus OC43; human metapneumovirus; human rhinovirus/enterovirus; influenza A; influenza A subtype H1; influenza A subtype H3; influenza A subtype H1-2009; influenza B; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; parainfluenza virus 1; parainfluenza virus 2; parainfluenza virus 3; parainfluenza virus 4; respiratory syncytial virus
Please note: This test does not detect the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Mayo Clinic Respiratory Panel PCR Test
Rapid detection of respiratory infections caused by the following:
-Adenovirus
-Coronavirus (serotypes HKU1, NL63, 229E, OC43) (NOT SARS-CoV-2)
-Human metapneumovirus
-Human rhinovirus/enterovirus
-Influenza A (H1, H1-2009, H3)
-Influenza B
-Parainfluenza virus (serotypes 1-4)
-Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
–Bordetella pertussis
-Bordetella parapertussis
–Chlamydophila pneumoniae
–Mycoplasmoides pneumoniae
What’s the Best PCR Testing Lab?
Here is a much more comprehensive respiratory panel pcr test from HealthtrackRx/AIT labs.
Unlike most high throughput PCR labs, AIT incorporates over 20 classes of antibiotic resistance and Sars-Cov-2 in the base panel.
Most labs concentrate solely on viral testing, but do not test extensively for bacterial pneumonia causing pathogens.
AIT offers comprehensive respiratory viral and bacterial pathogen testing, when combined with the antibiotic resistance, allows for fast, targeted treatment.
Respiratory Pathogens
- Acinetobacter baumanii
- Adenovirus HAdV-B
- Aspergillus flavus, fumigatus, niger, terreus
- Bordetella pertussis, parapertusis, bronchiseptica
- Candida albicans, glabrata, parapsilosis, tropicalis
- Candida auris
- Chlamydia tracomatis
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae
- Coronavirus (229E, NL63, )C43, and HKU1)
- COVID-19 Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
- Escherichia coli
- Enterobacter aerogenes, cloacae
- Enterovirus A+B+C
- Enterovirus D
- Haemophillus influenzae
- Varicella zoster virus (Human Herpes Virus 3)
- Human metapneumovirus
- Influenza virus A,B probes
- Klesiella ‘pneumoniae’, ooxytoca
- Legionella pneumophila
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, kansasii
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Parainfluenza virus (types 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Proteus mirabilis, vulgaris
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Rhinovirus A+B+C
- Rhizopus spp, Mucor spp.
- Serratia marcescens
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Staphylococcus spp
- Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B strep (GBS))
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Steptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep)
Unique Antibiogram Gives You Individualized Prescribing Confidence
But it doesn’t stop there – you can then be more confident prescribing treatment that guided by patient individualized antibiotic sensitivities. This is possible by detecting the patient’s own antibiotic resistance genes:
Antibiotic Resistance Genes
- VanA, VanB (Vancomycin resistance)
- ermB, C; mefA (Macrolide Lincosamide Streptogramin)
- SHV, KPC Groups (Class A beta lactamase)
- dfr (A1, A5), sul (1, 2) probes (Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole resistance)
- mecA (Methicillin gene)
- qnrA1, qnrA2, qnrB2 (Fluoroquinolone genes)
- tet B, tet M (Tetracycline genes)
- IMP, NDM, VIM Groups (Class B metallo beta lactamase)
- ACT, MIR, FOX, ACC Groups (AmpC beta lactamase)
- OXA-48,-51 (Class D oxacillinase)
- CTX-M1 (15), M2 (2), M9 (9), M8/25 Groups (Class A beta lactamase)
Prescribe with Confidence
As the leader in testing sensitivity and specificity, these reports include a custom-designed accurate and detailed antibiogram.
- Support antibiotic stewardship by reducing over-utilization of broad-spectrum anti-infectives
- Decrease the need for empiric therapy
- Reduce unnecessary drug exposure, adverse events, cost of repeat testing, and multiple treatment attempts
Respiratory Pathogens pdf
Learn more about respiratory pathogen PCR testing – download the pdf here
Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT PCR)
Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) infectious disease testing offers
higher accuracy and broader detection than culture.
▪ Detects the presence of infection by amplifying pathogen RNA and DNA
▪ Pathogen and antibiotic resistance information in 24 hours
▪ Increased sensitivity and specificity
▪ Unaffected by concurrent use of antibiotics
▪ Identifies polymicrobial infections
Identifying cause of infection on the first test is important especially in immunocompromised patients, including the elderly.
Here's what you need in your practice:
- PCR testing that provides causative microbe coverage for up to 99% of syndrome-related
microbes, some of which are not detected by traditional culture and sensitivity. - The test panels that offer information on the antibiotic resistance genes found in an individual sample. This information can help the clinician choose the best possible anti-infective therapy for the patient.
Get Up to 99% detection of causative bacterial, viral, fungal pathogens with sensitivity reports
Get Advanced PCR Testing For Your Practice
Your patients want an answer. "What do I have?"
Especially when point of care testing is not available, inconclusive, or doesn't give you an actual treatment decision, as well as for confirmation, rapid turn-around PCR testing (24-36h) will keep your patients safe, out of the hospital, and your reputation intact.
"The urgent care mis-diagnosed me" is not something you want to see on your online reviews.
Let's get this set up in your practice:
I am also needing a PCR with fast turnaround for travel. I am in South Loop.
where do i get the pcr test for travel? can not find a testing place that i can get the pcr test to travel outside the u.s. within 72 hr period/
Where are you located?