Frequently asked questions

If symptoms persist after treatment, follow-up testing (no earlier than 48 hours after stopping antimicrobials) is recommended. Our 2% reporting threshold can occasionally miss low-abundance pathogens that, once the dominant pathogen is treated, may thrive and cause recurring symptoms. This is particularly important for patients with chronic or recurrent UTIs, where treatment may provide only temporary relief. Follow-up testing helps ensure accurate diagnosis and better treatment planning.

In most cases, the primary pathogen will be the dominant organism detected by NGS, however certain organisms are considered pathogenic at any abundance level.

Yes, it’s better to continue biofilm disruptors before the test. They help break up biofilms, making it easier to capture bacteria, especially in bladder infections. Although still considered experimental, patients using biofilm disruptors often show better recovery rates.

While NGS can occasionally detect Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in blood, blood is not an appropriate sample type for diagnosing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). NGS is not validated for the detection of other STIs from blood samples. Direct sampling from the site of infection (e.g., urine, urethral, cervical, or vaginal swabs) is recommended for accurate identification.

Yes, NGS can detect a wide range of fungal species, including molds such as Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold), as long as fungal DNA is present in the clinical sample. NGS does not rely on the viability of the organism, making it possible to identify both fastidious and non-culturable fungi that may be missed by traditional methods. Detection of environmental molds like Stachybotrys is rare in human clinical samples but may occur, particularly in cases involving respiratory specimens or immunocompromised patients.

NGS is more sensitive than conventional culture, detecting multiple organisms in a specimen, including those suppressed by antimicrobial therapy or that are non-viable. Because NGS does not rely on organism growth, results may not always fully correlate with culture, particularly for fastidious or biofilm-associated pathogens. Based on a study by Dr. Javad Parvizi, our technology has 96% concordance with culture in terms of species identification.

A biofilm is a community of bacterial and fungal species embedded within a protective extracellular matrix, making them resistant to antibiotics and inaccessible to the immune system. Because biofilms involve multiple organisms, single-antibiotic therapies are often ineffective. The CDC estimates that 65–80% of chronic infections involve biofilm formation. Traditional cultures frequently fail to detect biofilms, whereas NGS can identify all organisms present, enabling more effective, targeted treatment.

MicroGenDX does not directly assess bacterial viability. Dead or non-viable bacterial DNA typically degrades within 24 hours in the host environment, while DNA from viable bacteria remains stable longer. Samples that are refrigerated or frozen help preserve DNA integrity. Species that meet the threshold for DNA reads are reported; if insufficient reads are obtained, the species is not detected. Due to the rapid degradation of DNA in dead bacterial cells it becomes extremely challenging for the technology to reach the threshold of DNA reads. If we don’t achieve enough DNA reads we can not detect the species. If the bacterial species is listed in our report it has met our criteria for DNA reads.

Bacterial and fungal DNA is fairly stable. Fresh patient samples can be in transit for up to 21 days at ambient temperature. We encourage tough that samples are shipped to our lab expeditiously.

We require blood samples to reach the lab no longer than 72 hours after sample collection.

Ideally, antibiotics should be discontinued 48 hours prior to testing, unless otherwise instructed by a healthcare provider. Always check with your health care provider before discontinuing any medications.

Detailed sample collection instructions are available on our website at microgendx.eu, along with instructional videos demonstrating best practices for optimal sample collection.

Failing to collect samples according to instructions could decrease the quality of results due to contamination or even lead to a negative (no organisms found) test result.

Each MicroGenDX collection kit includes sample containers, a biobag, a lab requisition form, a transport box, sample labels, and, if needed, a prepaid return label for shipping

The preferred option is to purchase a return shipment through us. You will get a return label to our lab in Hamburg (either inside our sample collection kit or as email label for print).

Yes, if you have purchased the test with the return shipping service, all you need to do is to arrange a pick-up from our the courrier online. You can also ship the sample independently to Labor Dr. Fenner, Bergstrasse 14, Hamburg 20095 Germany but need to make sure that a lab requisition form from Labor Dr. Fenner for the MicroGenDX test is included with your sample.

Yes, if you have purchased the test with the return shipping service, all you need to do is to find the nearest drop off point of the courrier and delivery it during opening hours.

The sample collection kit has an outside white sleeve with the logo of MicroGenDX. Inside the sleeve you will find the box for return shipping with the sample collection kit, and with the UN 3373 mark. Remove the sleeve for return shipping.

Allow for 2-3 days for shipping of sample collection kits.

A negative result with MicroGenDX testing generally indicates the absence of detectable infection at the sampled site. In rare cases, factors such as suboptimal sample quality, biocides, may influence detection. For accurate interpretation and clinical decision-making, please consult your physician.

Lab report interpretation requires expert knowledge. We ask patients to consult a physician for interpretation of the lab report results, and for any recommendation on the use of anti-microbials.

The lab report will be generated 3-5 business days after receipt of the sample at our lab in Hamburg.

The final lab report contains information on microorganisms detected in the sample (if any), potential resistance genes and anti-microbials for consideration.

No, the MicroGenDX test does not identify a virus or a parasite. Additonal testing is required for this type of species.

Patients should consult with local specialists to select the right tests for them. The microgendx.eu website gives a good overview. The medical staff at Labor Dr. Fenner could answer questions from physicians regarding the tests that could be suited to diagnose a specific condition.