At the onset of their urinary symptoms, most IC patients assume that they have a bladder infection yet urine cultures are usually negative leaving the patient very confused. “How can I have a normal urine culture when I’m peeing every 10 minutes?” asked one recent patient. She insisted that it had to be a urinary tract infection and was refusing all non-antibiotic therapies. I suggested that she prove it, once and for all, by having a Next Generation DNA Urine Test. This method of testing is far more accurate than urine cultures at identifying infection, especially more elusive ones. If that came back positive, the test would provide the evidence she needed to get treatment. If it came back negative, then she would have to accept that her bladder was normal and look for other identifiable causes, such as a pelvic floor injury, estrogen atrophy, etc.
Next Generation DNA Urine Testing Is The Future!
The most effective way of identifying bacteria and fungus in urine is through Next Generation (NGS) DNA Urine tests that identify potential pathogens from DNA found in urine. A head-to-head comparison study published in Reviews of Urology showed that NGS had a 100% success in detecting acute cystitis while the standard urine culture only had 30% success rate. This testing will also identify drug resistance genes, helping the doctor and patient identify the correct treatment that will kill that specific infection. MicroGenDX NGS is also able to identify and treat microbes in biofilms.
Next Generation testing has helped countless doctors and patients find the underlying cause of their long-term, chronic urinary symptoms yet some are critical arguing that the results are difficult to interpret. That is true. It takes research and study. Microgen has a video to help clinicians to interpret the results correctly. But, it is an undeniable fact that Next Generation DNA testing has saved the lives of patients struggling with infections that cultures missed, including urinary infections, vaginal infections, post operative infections with joint replacement, chronic sinusitis and more. It is a tool worth your consideration, especially if you believe that the doctors have missed an infection.
Challenging Infections
Here at the ICN, we work with many women struggling with recurring UTI in addition to their IC and it’s often very confusing to them. As women age and estrogen levels drop, the normally thick coating of mucus inside the bladder, urethra and vagina begins to thin and becomes more vulnerable to infection (aka Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause). And, it comes as no surprise that some struggle to find an effective treatment after the first or second round of antibiotics have failed. This is when Next Generation DNA Urine Testing is ideal. It will identify the pathogen, the presence of antibiotic resistant genes and, most importantly, suggest the most effective treatments.
Consider the case of an 82 year old woman with recurring UTI (3 or more per year) who went to her doctor with severe frequency, nighttime urination, pain, chills and low grade fever. She was not responding to the broad spectrum antibiotics prescribed. Next Generation DNA urine testing found not only E.coli (48%) but also bactericides fragilis (50%), a bacteria is common in diseases which cause diarrhea. Next Gen testing also revealed that she had multiple-drug resistances. Given this information, targeted therapy with clindamycin (300mg twice a day for 14 days) was suggested. The patient was symptom free at the end of treatment.
Learn more about Next Generation Testing and how to order a test at: http://www.bladderhealth.org
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MicrogenDX has been a leader in the development of Next Generation DNA Testing. Check out this interview with it’s CEO, Rick Martin
