UTIs are a common and uncomfortable issue that many of us face. Some people can be at higher risk than others, getting them more often.
Typically, diagnosing a UTI involves urine cultures—a process that can be slow and not always accurate. But thanks to advancements in technology, specifically Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS), diagnosing UTIs is getting a major upgrade.
Let’s dive into how MicroGenDX is making waves in UTI testing.
What is a UTI?
A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common health issue that occurs when bacteria infect the bladder or urethra. Discomforting symptoms of a UTI include:
In more severe cases, UTIs can lead to kidney infections, which can cause back pain, fever, or nausea.
To diagnose a UTI, healthcare providers ask for a urine sample to check for the signs of bacteria and white blood cells.
Treatment usually involves antibiotics. Complicated UTIs, such as those affecting the kidneys, may require a longer course of medication. You should consult your healthcare provider to make sure your infection is fully eradicated.
You should also discuss any test results with your provider and work with them to determine the next steps on your healthcare journey.
High-Risk Groups
Some groups have more risk of contracting a UTI, such as:
People who fall into at least one of these groups may benefit the most from NGS.
The Old Way: Urine Cultures
Urine cultures have been the go-to method for diagnosing UTIs for ages. While they can work, they come with some serious drawbacks:
These issues can delay treatment and leave you feeling lousy longer than necessary.
Yet, there's a newer, more precise, and more holistic way to answer the key concern – How to treat my UTI?
The Game-Changer: Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
NGS, especially through MicroGenDX testing, is changing the world of diagnostic testing by providing a faster, more accurate, precision UTI testing option.
Here’s why NGS is a big deal:
A recent study found that sequencing technologies like PCR and NGS are better than standard urine cultures.
Speed is one of the biggest perks of NGS:
NGS doesn’t just find more bacteria; it provides a detailed breakdown of what’s in your sample. It can identify multiple pathogens at once, including those that don’t grow in regular cultures.
Physicians often call these microbes called viable but non-culturable bacteria (VBNC), fastidious microbes, or anaerobic bacteria. However, MicroGenDX testing is more than just NGS – it detects antibiotic resistance with an integrated PCR test.
Antibiotic resistance is an emerging problem in medicine. If drug resistant genes are present, they can pose complications for your own treatment, as these genes can share immunity to the various bacteria in the infection.
Leveraging qPCR, the same rapid testing technology used for COVID-19 testing, MicroGenDX detects the presence of 17 types of common antibiotic resistance.
By checking for drug resistant genes, MicroGenDX helps physicians formulate more precise diagnoses and devise effective treatments.
In fact, MicroGenDX testing indicates specific antibiotics that may be effective for treatment, taking into account any detected drug resistance. This feature of our test report offers actionable insight to both patients and their providers.
Moreover, providers can better combat this emerging problem, preserving the usefulness of these key medicines.
Detailed information like this is key to getting you the right treatment, saving you and your provider valuable time, and helping you get better faster.
The benefits of NGS testing translate to better care for you:
While NGS testing can be pricier than some traditional cultures, the benefits of this advanced UTI test often outweigh the costs. Faster, more accurate diagnoses can lead to better outcomes, fewer complications, and potentially lower healthcare costs over time.
MicroGenDX integrates qPCR + NGS tech into a number of easy-to-use at home UTI test kits, such as:
Next-Generation DNA Sequencing is shaking up UTI diagnostics.
With faster, more accurate, and comprehensive results, NGS is setting the gold standard in patient care with advanced UTI diagnostics. MicroGenDX’s at-home, urine NGS tests are leading this charge, helping doctors diagnose and treat UTIs effectively and with ease.
If you’re dealing with UTI symptoms and want the best in testing and treatment, consider NGS testing. Ask your healthcare provider about NGS testing with MicroGenDX or check out our patient site for more information.
NGS testing presents a step towards faster relief and better health. Get better answers with MicroGenDX by your side.
Vice President of Medical Affairs
Since earning a PhD in Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University in 2015, Dr. Nicholas Sanford has been a clinical laboratorian, Assistant Laboratory Director, and Vice President of Medical Affairs at MicroGenDX. He holds professional certification in Genetics and Genomics from Stanford University and is a Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist. Dr. Sanford's research focuses on molecular assay design, specifically in the prediction of antimicrobial susceptibility from genomic data and the evaluation of clinical utility of diagnostic assays.
