GenMark Diagnostics

Although overall activity remains low, detection of influenza A H3N2 has been on the rise, especially in young adults in college settings. The CDC is reminding clinicians to consider testing for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and note that molecular tests offer the most accurate results, especially for hospitalized patients with suspected influenza.

Learn more: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00458.asp

The ePlex RP2 Panel offers detection of Influenza, SARS-Cov-2 and more than 20 of the most common respiratory pathogens, enabling clinicians to quickly identify what is making their patients sick.

A new SARS-CoV-2 variant first reported in South Africa and Botswana, B.1.1.529, has now been designated by the WHO as a Variant of Concern (VOC) and assigned the Greek name Omicron. The number of mutations in this variant is causing concern, and over 30 mutations have been reported in the spike protein region alone. A virologist in the UK noted this is the most heavily mutated version of the virus yet identified.

Click to learn more about the priliminary analysis of the Omicron variant detection on the ePlex RP2 Panel: https://genmarkdx.com/detection-of-omicron-variant-on-the-eplex-rp2-panel/

Sepsis is a condition that can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses in the blood and is the result of the body’s response to infection. Rapid detection of sepsis or bloodstream infections was shown to reduce the mean hospital length of stay by 2.5 days.

The ePlex BCID Panels can identify >10% more of the organisms that cause sepsis compared with other rapid molecular diagnostic tests, aiding in earlier diagnosis for more patients.

To learn more, visit: https://genmarkdx.com/panels/eplex-panels/bcid-panels/

Testing for blood culture contamination differentiates between bloodstream infection and an external contamination that could have occured at various stages of the testing process, from sample collection to sample analysis. Failure to recognize blood culture contamination can result in misdiagnosis, inappropriate antibiotic use, and extended hospital stays.

Disease States - Sepsis | GenMark Diagnostics                           Bloodstream Infections/Sepsis Sepsis is a condition that can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses in the blood and is the result of the body’s response to infection. Approximately 30-35% of cases of severe sepsis are fatal, with mortality exceeding that

While many respiratory viruses decreased in prevalence during the pandemic due to social distancing and other preventive measures, rhinovirus and enterovirus continued to circulate at historical rates, suggesting something is different with these viruses. Identifying rhinovirus/enterovirus and ruling out flu or SARS-CoV-2 can improve patient and bed management by enabling doctors to safely manage those patients at home.

Cold Viruses Thrived in Kids as Other Viruses Faded in 2020 Finding out why rhinovirus and enterovirus have persisted during the pandemic can help inform future prevention recommendations, experts say.