PrecisionRPP

Performance

Flow Health’s Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) testing is used to detect the specific pathogen to more accurately diagnose both viral and bacterial respiratory infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Flow Health’s RPP testing includes screening for multiple targets such as SARS-CoV-2, Flu A/B, RSV, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae reducing the need to order multiple tests.Flow Health’s RPP testing identifies causative organisms by its DNA/RNA molecular method – which makes it possible to quickly diagnose the type of infection. Flow Health’s RPP testing is a useful tool in avoiding overprescribing antibiotics.Flow Health’s RPP PCR panel tests for many pathogens and is >95% accurate.Results are not affected by current antibody use.Flow Health’s RPP testing includes, but is not limited to, the following analytes that are not usually included in other laboratory’s RPP testing: Bordetella pertussisBordetella pertussis causes whooping cough (pertussis), an acute respiratory infection marked by severe, spasmodic coughing episodes during the paroxysmal phase. Leukocytosis with lymphocytosis is also common during this phase of the illness. Dangerous complications are bronchopneumonia and acute encephalopathy. Bordetella parapertussis can cause a milder form of pertussis.[1] Chlamydophila pneumoniaeMost of the respiratory tract infections (about 70%) caused by C. pneumoniae are asymptomatic or only with mild symptoms, but a minority (30%) of them are responsible for more severe respiratory illnesses such as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with atypical symptoms, bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). In addition, C. pneumoniae is involved not only in respiratory infections but also in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia as well as atherosclerosis and arthritis. Thus, the clinician must be able to promptly recognize, evaluate, and treat this condition to avoid its complications. [2] Legionella pneumophilaThe most common presentation of Legionella pneumophila is acute pneumonia (legionellosis); potentially any species of Legionella may cause the disease. Extrapulmonary disease (e.g., pericarditis and endocarditis) is rare. Less often, disease presents as a nonpneumonic epidemic, influenzalike illness called Pontiac fever. [3] Pan AdenovirusThe adenoviruses are DNA viruses common in animals and humans, frequently occurring in both adults and children. There are more than 100 serologically different types of adenovirus, with 49 types that infect humans. The family Adenoviridae is separated into two genera: the avian adenoviruses (aviadenoviruses) and the mammalian adenoviruses (mastadenovirus). Adenovirus is ubiquitous in animals, and in human populations, they may last long periods outside of a host, endemic throughout the year. Based on various serotypes, adenovirus is known as the etiologic mediator of multiple syndromes. It is spread via aerosolized droplets, direct inoculation to the conjunctiva, exposure to infected tissue, blood, and fecal-oral route. The virus infects multiple organ systems; though, most infections are asymptomatic. Adenovirus is recognized to be oncogenic in rodents, but that has not yet been observed in humans. In general, adenovirus infections are self-limited in immunocompetent individuals requiring supportive measures only. However, in immunocompromised individuals, the spectrum of disease is much more extensive, with outcomes potentially being fatal. [4] Human BocavirusHuman bocavirus (HBoV) is a recently-discovered DNA virus of the Parvoviridae family. Since its first report in 2005, HBoV has been known to cause acute respiratory infections in children. The clinical manifestations of HBoV infection are diverse, ranging from a mild common cold to bronchopneumonia or asthma exacerbation and severe respiratory tract infection. HBoV has been frequently co-detected with other respiratory viruses or respiratory pathogens in 40–75% of patients. This viral co-detection has started a debate about the role of HBoV as a true respiratory pathogen, but emerging evidence has supported the pathogenicity of HBoV. The presence of HBoV is rare in asymptomatic patients, and specifically, HBoV infections without other detected pathogens have been found in patients with respiratory tract symptoms. In addition, high viral loads have been associated with severe lower respiratory tract infections . In a recent prospective study, HBoV was the fourth most common pathogen in hospitalized children with respiratory tract diseases, with an incidence of 9.9%. However, HBoV has been rarely detected in adults. According to a previous epidemiology study of respiratory viruses that have been detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), the incidence of HBoV infection was 3% followed by that of human metapneumovirus (4.2%). Previous studies, mostly case reports , have shown that HBoV can cause severe pneumonia in immunocompromised adults or elderly patients; however, the clinical characteristics and burden of HBoV infection in adults have not been thoroughly elucidated. As with other infections, chest computed tomography (CT) scans can show the pattern and extent of viral pneumonia, and CT findings of viral pneumonia tend to show similar patterns according to viral pathogen viridae, with partial overlap. However, for this approach, the CT findings of pneumonia need to be evaluated with respect to the etiology of each virus. To our knowledge, the CT findings of HBoV pneumonia have only been reported in one case report. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of HBoV infections and the CT findings of HBoV pneumonia in adults using a large population cohort of a tertiary hospital. [5] Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial human pathogen that causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Infections are common both in community-acquired as well as hospital-acquired settings and treatment remains challenging to manage due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains such as MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). S. aureus is found in the environment and is also found in normal human flora, located on the skin and mucous membranes (most often the nasal area) of most healthy individuals. S. aureus does not normally cause infection on healthy skin; however, if it is allowed to enter the bloodstream or internal tissues, these bacteria may cause a variety of potentially serious infections. Transmission is typically from direct contact. However, some infections involve other transmission methods. [6] Streptococcus pneumoniaeCommunity-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the cost of these hospitalizations is estimated to cost up to $9 billion in the United States (US) dollars each year. Thirty-day hospital mortality associated with CAP has been estimated to be as high as 22% and is the leading cause of death amongst all infectious diseases. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the bacterium that has historically been the most common pathogen to cause CAP worldwide. In the era before antibiotics, S. pneumoniae was estimated to be the cause of 95% of all cases of pneumonia. Currently, however, S. pneumoniae accounts for up to 15% of pneumonia cases in the United States and 27% of cases worldwide today. Blood cultures are positive in only 20% to 25% of all pneumonia cases that are caused by S. pneumoniae making it a challenging diagnosis for the clinician. [7] Streptococcus pyogenesStreptococcus pyogenes is a major human-specific bacterial pathogen that causes a wide array of manifestations ranging from mild localized infections to life-threatening invasive infections. Ineffective treatment of S. pyogenes infections can result in the postinfectious sequela acute rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Moreover, it causes invasive infections like necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome that is associated with and high morbidity and mortality. [8] Haemophilus influenzaeHaemophilus influenzae, a type of bacteria, can cause many different kinds of infections. These infections range from mild, like ear infections, to serious, like bloodstream infections. Doctors consider some H. influenzae infections “invasive.” Invasive disease happens when the bacteria invade parts of the body that are normally free from germs. For example, H. influenzae can invade the fluid around the spine and brain, causing meningitis, or bloodstream, causing bacteremia. Invasive disease is usually serious, requiring treatment in a hospital, and can sometimes result in death. [9] Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)Haemophilus influenzae type b can cause many different kinds of infections. These infections usually affect children under 5 years of age but can also affect adults with certain medical conditions. Hib bacteria can cause mild illness, such as ear infections or bronchitis, or they can cause severe illness, such as infections of the blood. Severe Hib infection, also called “invasive Hib disease,” requires treatment in a hospital and can sometimes result in death. Before Hib vaccine, Hib disease was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children under 5 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to brain damage and deafness. [10]