UPPER RESPIRATORY
Upper Respiratory Testing
Infectious Diseases are diseases caused by biological agents, which can be transmitted to others and include viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms. If left undiagnosed and untreated, these diseases can lead to severe sickness. At Gravity Diagnostics, we test for 33 of these organisms that target the upper respiratory and sexually transmitted infections. And with an industry-leading turn-around-time, the patient can get the specific treatment they need promptly.
Upper Respiratory Panel
Advanced molecular microbiology testing allows for the detection of infectious agents by their specific DNA sequence. This technique can identify mixed infections from a single specimen and produces results days before traditional methods reducing the unnecessary overuse of antibiotics.
- Gravity Diagnostics has a comprehensive upper respiratory panel covering 33 organisms
- Testing is performed using Real-Time PCR Technology, reducing the number of false positives you may see with rapid flu tests
- Reduces the overuse of antibiotics for non-bacterial infections
- Detects co-infections that may require different treatment options
- Testing is non-invasive, using an e-swab sample for collection
- Industry leading turn-around times
- Personalized easy-to-read reports
Our Methodologies for Upper Respiratory Testing
RT-PCR (UR/COVID)
Qualitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) is a molecular technique used to detect and analyze RNA expression. The methodology typically involves the following steps:
- RNA Extraction: Total RNA is isolated from a biological sample using a KingFisher Flex.
- Reverse Transcription: The extracted RNA is reverse transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA) using the enzyme reverse transcriptase, typically with a primer that binds to the RNA template.
- PCR Amplification: The cDNA is then subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using specific primers that target the gene of interest.
- Detection: Amplified DNA is analyzed through our Quant Studios, to confirm the presence or absence of the target sequence, indicating the presence of the RNA in the original sample.
Qualitative RT-PCR provides qualitative data on the presence or absence of specific RNA molecules, which we use for pathogen detection.