DNA Diagnostics

DNA diagnostics enable wound care experts to know which bacteria are present in nonhealing wounds. Adrian Wyllie, MD, MBA, CWSP, FAPWH, and Vadim Kurbatov, MD, PhD, at Complete Wound Care in Wallingford and Milford, Connecticut, use state-of-the-art DNA diagnostics. Their exceptional results provide the specificity that older methods like lab cultures can’t achieve. Call Complete Wound Care or book an appointment online today to see how DNA diagnostics improve your wound care.

What are DNA diagnostics?

DNA diagnostic tests identify the infectious microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in your wounds. They do this by detecting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) — cellular building blocks that form the basis of every organism.

Complete Wound Care uses MicroGenDX qPCR + Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) microbial DNA diagnostics. This advanced technology identifies bacterial and fungal DNA with 99% accuracy.

How do DNA diagnostics support wound care?

Nonhealing wounds like venous and arterial ulcers are prone to infection, which can be a major barrier to healing. Infections can also accelerate tissue decay and could lead to gangrene — permanent tissue death that might require amputation.

Treating infections involves using antibiotics and antifungal medications, but their effectiveness depends on a good match between the organism and the drug. If it’s not clear what the organism is and you take a less effective medication, it won’t clear up the infection.

Accurately identifying the bacteria in your wound using DNA diagnostics enables Complete Wound Care to prescribe the most effective treatments without delay. They receive initial DNA diagnostic results within 24-48 hours, followed by a detailed follow-up 3-4 days later.

Why are DNA diagnostics better than existing methods?

The standard diagnostics currently in use are wound cultures and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

Standard wound cultures grow microbes from a sample taken from your wound, which isn’t very reliable. Lab cultures may be unable to identify the organism because it’s difficult to grow in a petri dish.

PCR uses DNA science to identify organisms, so it’s far more accurate. Many labs now offer PCR testing, typically detecting 20-30 known bacteria and fungi.

Why is MicroGenDX better than standard PCR tests?

MicroGenDX qPCR + Next-Generation DNA Sequencing enhances standard PCR technology, making the results more accurate than PCR alone.

Combining PCR with NGS microbial DNA diagnostics is far more sophisticated. Compared to standard PCR’s 20-30 microorganism range, MicroGenDX’s NGS detects up to 50,000 different microbes.

It also measures the percentage of each organism present, making it easier for Complete Wound Care to see which one’s causing the primary infection. This accuracy could be critical for treating complex infections involving multiple bacterial or fungal varieties.

Call Complete Wound Care to learn more about the benefits of DNA diagnostics, or schedule a consultation by completing the online booking form today.