CGx Panel

As new viruses emerge, PCR testing provides fast and accurate diagnostics. PCR stands for a polymerase chain reaction and is the gold-standard method for detecting the Monkeypox virus from lesion swabs. This type of molecular testing examines the DNA to determine if the virus is present in the patient. PCR tests can help prevent the spread of disease through early and precise diagnostics.

The laboratory tests the sample for the presence of DNA from non-variola orthopoxvirus species. Monkeypox is one type of orthopoxvirus. Currently, no other viruses in the species raise an issue for public health; therefore, the CDC deems any positive result as Monkeypox.

The CDC only recommends testing for patients with a rash or lesions consistent with the Monkeypox virus. The most conclusive results come from samples taken from lesions. The virus only lives in the blood for a short period; therefore, blood tests do not offer conclusive results. The other symptoms of the virus, such as chills, fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes, mimic symptoms of other common illnesses. Consider conducting additional diagnostic testing to rule out other viruses, like COVID-19.

The PCR test results take approximately three days to process and report. While waiting for the results, follow the CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of infection.

In our laboratory, we employ immunoassay, LC-MS, and ICP-MS testing methods to attain exceptional sensitivity and specificity. This approach minimizes the likelihood of errors such as false positives and false negatives.

The period during which drug usage can be identified is contingent upon the nature of the drug in question and a range of influencing factors. It is feasible to detect the presence of numerous substances solely in cases of recent consumption or prolonged use, influenced by several parameters including: - The pharmacokinetics of the drug, specifically its half-life or the rate at which it is metabolized and eliminated by the individual’s body, - The individual's state of hydration, - The frequency with which the drug is consumed, - The mode of administration of the drug, - The established cut-off concentration for the detection test. In general, the presence of drugs in an individual's system can range from hours to weeks contingent upon the specific substance involved.

Our confirmatory toxicology and CCM testing is based on the UHPLC-MS/MS, which stands for Ultrahigh Pressure Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and yields the least false positive results in toxicology testing due to its high specificity and sensitivity. This method separates compounds using liquid chromatography and then identifies and quantifies them with high precision through mass spectrometry, not once but twice (tandem). The double mass spectrometry process allows for a detailed analysis of the molecular structure of the compounds, making it extremely effective at distinguishing between substances that are structurally similar. This capability significantly reduces the chance of cross-reactivity and, thus, false positives, making LC-MS/MS one of the most reliable and accurate tools in toxicological analysis.

The cut-off concentration level in quantitative analytical methods refers to the predefined threshold that determines whether a test result is considered positive or negative for a specific substance. It is the minimum amount of the substance that must be present in the sample for it to be detected by the test. This threshold is crucial for ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the test by reducing the chances of false positives or false negatives. In the context of drug testing, for example, the cut-off concentration is the smallest concentration of the drug or its metabolites that must be present in the sample for the result to be reported as positive, helping to distinguish between incidental exposure and actual use.