MicroGenDX NailKEY Test: The Ultimate Solution for Accurate Nail Infection Detection

Uncover the Source of Nail Trouble with High Precision

Nail health is more than just aesthetics – it’s a vital aspect of your overall well-being. When your nails show signs of trouble, such as discoloration, thickening, or brittleness, it can be a sign of an underlying nail infection. NailKEY by MicroGenDX produces the answers you need to reveal the source of the infection, removing any mystery – with rapid precision.

Purpose-built with qPCR + NGS, NailKEY identifies the specific fungal or bacterial pathogens likely responsible for your infection, providing you and your provider with clinical clarity and actionable insights.

Why Choose NailKEY?

Nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, can be challenging to treat, especially without knowing the exact cause. NailKEY unites two leading molecular testing technologies—Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and Next-Gen DNA Sequencing (NGS)—to help you identify that cause:

Hi-Tech Precise Pathogen Detection:
Leveraging NGS, NailKEY identifies over 57,000 species of bacteria and fungi with superior accuracy (~99.2%). Traditional culture testing is often limited in its ability to detect all pathogens, especially if an organism is slow-growing or cannot be cultured. NGS sequences the DNA of all microbes present in your sample, overcoming these limitations. NGS enables NailKEY to identify rare or unexpected pathogens, ensuring no pathogen goes undetected!
Antimicrobial Resistance Testing:
Utilizing qPCR, NailKEY detects antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes for 17 types of antibiotics— a feature not available with most tests. With this insight, healthcare providers can customize treatments that eradicate drug-resistant pathogens, promoting better outcomes and reducing the odds of recurrence.
Rapid and Reliable Results:
NailKEY delivers antimicrobial resistance profiling within 2 days and NGS results within 3-5 days, enabling you to quickly move forward with an optimal treatment plan.
Convenient At-Home Testing Experience:
The test kit is delivered straight to your doorstep with everything you need, making it easy and comfortable to collect your sample at home and ship it to us. You’ll also get your results through our secure online portal.

Who Should Use NailKEY?

Individuals with Persistent Nail Infections: If you’ve been struggling with a nail infection that won’t go away despite treatment, NailKEY can help identify the underlying cause and guide your healthcare provider in selecting a more targeted treatment plan. By pinpointing the exact pathogens involved along with any AMR indicators, NailKEY reduces the guesswork in diagnosis and treatment — helping you get back to healthier nails sooner.
Patients with Recurrent Infections: For those who experience frequent nail infections, NailKEY can provide a deeper understanding of the microbial landscape that may be contributing to recurrence. This insight is vital for developing a long-term management strategy that targets the root cause of the infection and prevents future flare-ups.
Proactive Health Seekers: Even if you’re not currently experiencing symptoms, NailKEY can be a valuable tool for proactive health check-ins. Periodic testing can help you catch infections early before they become symptomatic or difficult to treat. This is especially important for people at higher risk of nail infections or with compromised immune systems.

How NailKEY Works

Order Your Test Kit: Purchase NailKEY online, and the kit will be delivered to your home. The kit includes easy-to-follow instructions and all the materials needed to collect your nail sample.
Collect Your Sample: Use the provided tools to collect a small sample of nail clippings. The process is straightforward and can be done at your convenience. After collecting your sample, use the unique identifier included in your kit to register it on our website. Registration ensures you’ll receive your results in a timely manner.
Ship To Our Lab: After collecting your sample, return it to the lab using the prepaid overnight shipping label. It’s important to send the sample within 24 hours after collection to ensure the best quality results.
Receive Your Results: Get your complete results through our secure online portal within 3-5 days of the lab receiving your sample. Reports are usually available as soon as they are ready. Antimicrobial resistance results come out within 48 hours, and the full NGS report within 5 days.
Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Share your results with your healthcare provider to discuss next steps. Your provider can use NailKEY’s detailed insights to develop a targeted treatment plan that addresses the specific pathogens identified.