RespiKEY

MicroGenDX Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) Test Service: Comprehensive, Accurate, & Precise

Uncover the Elusive Pathogen Causing Your Respiratory Distress

Respiratory tract infections, such as those affecting the lower respiratory tract, can be persistent, debilitating, and challenging to diagnose accurately. Each year millions of people get lower respiratory tract infections, with ~490 million people contracting them globally in 2019.

Traditional testing methods often fail to identify the bacteria or fungi responsible, leading to prolonged sickness and ineffective treatments which result in higher personal and healthcare costs.

MicroGenDX’s Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) Test Service presents a hi-tech, cutting-edge solution, leveraging advanced molecular diagnostics to deliver insights that reveal what’s likely causing your infection and what you can do about it.

Why Choose MicroGenDX RTI Test Service?

1. Advanced Diagnostic Technologies:
   The RTI Test Service integrates two cutting-edge technologies: Next-Gen DNA Sequencing (NGS) and Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). MicroGenDX is leading the way with this approach and has over 20 years of experience along with 70+ research publications, making it one of the most reliable testing options available. NGS results are delivered in 3-5 days, while qPCR results come in just 24-48 hours.
2. Comprehensive Pathogen Detection:
   Unlike standard tests that might miss elusive or slow-growing pathogens, NGS screens for the DNA of over 57,000 bacteria and fungi known to cause illness. It’s a more sensitive and accurate testing method than common methods like culture, which is capable of growing only 2% of bacteria. The microbial clarity NGS provides makes it a more reliable and helpful testing method. It's a game-changer for people suffering from chronic or recurrent conditions, where understanding the exact microbial landscape and interaction is critical for effective treatment. MicroGenDX’s NGS tests produce results with 99.2% accuracy within 3-5 days.
3. Antimicrobial Resistance Testing:
   Our qPCR test detects 17 types of common antimicrobial resistance genes that complicate common treatments. With these results in hand, healthcare providers have insight into the resistance profile of your infection and can narrow their use of antibiotics to those most effective for your case. Most tests do not check for antimicrobial resistance. Using it promotes good antibiotic stewardship and better care outcomes for you.
4. Fast & Convenient At-Home Testing:
   The RTI test kit is shipped directly to your doorstep and includes everything needed to collect your sputum sample. You can collect the sample in the comfort and privacy of your home. When ready, you can ship your sample to our lab using the provided prepaid overnight shipping label. Once your sample reaches the lab, you’ll get qPCR results in 24-48 hours and NGS results within 5 days. Your results will be securely shared through an online portal, providing instant access and protecting your privacy.

Who Should Consider the RTI Test Service?

1. Individuals with Chronic or Recurrent Respiratory Infections: If you suffer from repeated fits of lower respiratory tract infections such as chronic bronchitis, chronic coughing, or recurring pneumonia, testing with the RTI Test Service can provide new, helpful insights. Accurately identifying the responsible pathogens can lead to more effective treatment or help eliminate the microbes at their source, reducing the severity of future episodes.
2. People with Persistent Respiratory Symptoms: Those experiencing ongoing symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest pain should consider this test. These symptoms are often signs of an underlying infection that has not been properly identified. Even if your symptoms come and go, the test can reveal the bacteria or fungi behind them. Using qPCR + NGS, the RTI Test Service can uncover elusive and drug-resistant pathogens that regular testing can miss – leading to precision treatment plans.
3. Individuals at Higher Risk for Respiratory Complications: If you have a condition such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, or a weakened immune system, you are at greater risk of complications from respiratory infections. Periodic testing at the onset of symptoms can help identify infections early, enabling treatments to halt disease progression and reduce the risk of severe outcomes.
4. People Unresponsive to Regular Treatments: For people who have had treatment for a respiratory infection but have not experienced major relief, the RTI Test Service can produce valuable insight into the complete microbial makeup of the infection. NGS detects the microbes within the infection and reports the percentage each microbe makes up of the overall infection to produce a detailed breakdown of your sample. Plus, qPCR identifies any antibiotic resistance shared across microbes in the infection, enabling healthcare providers to adapt treatments for effectiveness.
5. Proactive Health Seekers: Even without symptoms, those with concern about their respiratory health and want to proactively check up on it can use this test. Having clarity into the microbial landscape of your respiratory system helps detect potential issues early before they become more serious.

How It Works

1. Order Your Test Kit: Once you place your order, the kit is shipped directly to your home. The kit has everything you need to collect your sample, with complete instructions for proper collection and handling.
2. Sample Collection: The test requires a sputum sample, which works best if collected first thing in the morning. Review the instructions carefully to ensure you properly collect your sample for optimal results. After you collect 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.
3. Ship Your Sample: Ship your sample to the MicroGenDX laboratory using the prepaid overnight shipping label included in your kit. It is crucial to ship your sputum sample within 24 hours of collection to ensure the best accuracy.
4. Receive Your Results: Test results are typically available within 3-5 days for NGS and as quickly as 24-48 hours for qPCR. You can access your results securely through our online portal, where the report will detail any detected pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes.
5. Share with Your Healthcare Provider: With your results in hand, consult your healthcare provider to devise the best course of action. The insights from the test can significantly influence your provider’s choice of treatment options.