Medically reviewed by the Rice Emergency Room Medical Team

Dr. Amir Zegar, DO

Medically reviewed byDr. Amir Zegar, DOBoard-Certified Emergency Medicine Physician | Medical Director

BioFire Diagnostic Testing in Houston for over 22 Respiratory Pathogens

Respiratory illness hit hard during seasonal changes. The late summer and early fall can be a precarious time for people with asthma and allergies. It’s the season when many emergency rooms, including ours in West U. and surrounding communities, witness an influx of patients grappling with exacerbated symptoms.

The culprits are airborne irritants like ragweed pollen and mold spores, as well as respiratory infections of flu, RSV and COVID.

If you’re dealing with respiratory symptoms, we recommend visiting a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Cutting-edge diagnostic technology, such as the BioFire PCR, can make a real difference.

What is PCR?

Before diving into the specifics of the BioFire test, it’s essential to understand what PCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction is. Developed by Dr. Kary Mullis in 1983, PCR is a revolutionary method used to amplify tiny segments of DNA (Saiki, et.al).

By repeatedly heating and cooling the DNA, PCR allows for the replication of a specific DNA sequence millions or even billions of times. This amplification allows scientists to detect even minuscule quantities of DNA, making it a potent tool for diagnostics.

What Is the BioFire Test?

The BioFire system uses multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to amplify and detect the genetic material of various pathogens. Unlike traditional diagnostic methods, which may require several hours or days o produce results.

The BioFire tests can deliver accurate outcomes in about an hour. This rapid turnaround is a game-changer in emergency and critical care situations where every moment counts. (BioFire 2020)

Various Panels for Specific Needs

BioFire offers a range of panels designed to test for different types of infections. For example, the Respiratory Panel (RP) is particularly beneficial during the late summer and early fall. It can test for up to 22 pathogens including influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), among many others.

Being able to test for multiple pathogens in a single run not only speeds up diagnosis, but it also aids healthcare providers in tailoring the most effective treatment plans for their patients.

This is incredibly valuable for asthma and allergy patients who are at a higher risk of experiencing complications from respiratory infections.

Test for 22 Respiratory Pathogens

VIRUSES:

● Adenovirus

● Coronavirus 229E

● Coronavirus HKU1

● Coronavirus NL63

● Coronavirus OC43

● Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

● Human Metapneumovirus

● Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus

● Influenza A virus

● Influenza A virus A/H1

● Influenza A virus A/H3

● Influenza A virus A/H1-2009

● Influenza B virus

● Parainfluenza virus 1

● Parainfluenza virus 2

● Parainfluenza virus 3

● Parainfluenza virus 4

● Respiratory syncytial virus

BACTERIA:

● Bordetella parapertussis

● Bordetella pertussis

● Chlamydia pneumoniae

● Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Rice Emergency Room Has 24/7, 365 Lab Capabilities

Fore more information on how to get a BioFire PCR test, please give us a call at (713) 524-4400 or let us know you’re on your way here: https://riceemergencyroom.com/check-in/

Rice Emergency Room is conveniently located in the Rice Village Shopping Center at 2500 Rice Blvd, Houston, TX 77005.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

Respiratory distress can escalate quickly, turning a simple situation into a life-threatening emergency. If you or a loved one is experiencing severe shortness of breath, chest tightness, or a sudden, persistent cough, it may be time to seek emergency care.

Call now or just walk in at anytime. 

Works Cited

Saiki, R.K., Gelfand, D.H., Stoffel, S., Scharf, S.J., Higuchi, R., Horn, G.T., … & Mullis, K.B. (1988). Primer-directed enzymatic amplification of DNA with a thermostable DNA polymerase. Science, 239(4839), 487-491. BioFire Diagnostics. (2020). Panels. Retrieved from BioFire’s official website https://www.biofiredx.com/