Respiratory Pathogen Panel

A PCR respiratory panel is a test that uses a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of various respiratory pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, in a sample taken from the nose or throat. The test can help diagnose the cause of respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or COVID-19, and guide appropriate treatment. The test can also identify co-infections (more than one pathogen causing infection) and pathogens that might be missed with traditional testing methods, such as culture.

There are different types of PCR respiratory panels that can detect different sets of pathogens. For example, the respiratory viral panel (RVP) can detect 17 viral pathogens, such as influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and coronavirus. The respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) can detect 22 pathogens, including 18 viruses and 4 bacteria, such as Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The respiratory panel (RP) can detect 22 pathogens, including 19 viruses and 3 bacteria, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19. The PCR respiratory panel is a fast and accurate test that can provide results quickly and accurately.