Comprehensive Vaginitis qPCR Panel

Comprehensive Vaginitis qPCR Panel 

Vaginitis Overview 

Bacterial or Candida-based vaginal infections are among the most common reasons women in the United States seek medical care. Statistics show that up to 75% of women will experience some form of vaginal infection during their lifetime, resulting in approximately 10 million physician office visits annually (references 1 to 4). Despite this prevalence, around 40% of women with vaginitis leave their initial medical appointment without a clear diagnosis (reference 7). 

Vaginitis is primarily caused by an imbalance between protective Lactobacilli and pathogenic organisms, such as aerobic bacteria, bacterial vaginosis pathogens, and Candida species. Traditional diagnostic techniques—often microscopic—are subjective and have variable sensitivity and specificity. These limitations make it difficult to detect mixed infections accurately, potentially leading to unresolved symptoms, repeated visits, misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatments, and unnecessary healthcare costs. 

Advantages of the Vaginitis qPCR Panel 

The Vaginitis qPCR Panel uses a highly sensitive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect the three most common infectious pathogens and 44 antibiotic resistance (ABR) genes related to vaginitis: 

This molecular test provides more precise results than traditional methods and enables clinicians to diagnose accurately even in cases involving mixed infections. The panel supports efficient patient care by allowing one-collection/one-test diagnosis of the most frequent vaginal infections. 

In addition to pathogen identification, the panel also supports antimicrobial stewardship by reporting relevant antibiotic resistance genes. It accommodates multiple specimen types, including urine and female endocervical/vaginal swabs, and utilizes real-time PCR for fast and reliable results. 

The Panel Includes 

Bacteria 

Fungi & Protozoa 

Viruses 

44 Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ABRs)

blaACC:   Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase

blaACT:   AmpC-type cephalosporinase

blaCMY:   Citrobacter freundii-derived AmpC-type beta-lactamase

blaLAT:   Latent AmpC-type beta-lactamase

blaFOX:   Cephamycin-hydrolyzing AmpC beta-lactamase

blaGES:   Guiana extended-spectrum beta-lactamase

blaMIR:   Morganella morganii-inducible cephalosporinase

blaVIM:   Verona integron-encoded metallo-beta-lactamase

Cfr:   Chloramphenicol-florfenicol resistance methyltransferase

CMY/MOX/DHA:   AmpC-type beta-lactamases (CMY, MOX, DHA families)

CTX-M_1:   Cefotaximase-Munich beta-lactamase group 1

CTX-M_2:   Cefotaximase-Munich beta-lactamase group 2

CTX-M_8_25:   Cefotaximase-Munich beta-lactamase groups 8 and 25

CTX-M_9:   Cefotaximase-Munich beta-lactamase group 9

dfrA1:   Trimethoprim-resistant dihydrofolate reductase type A1

dfrA5:   Trimethoprim-resistant dihydrofolate reductase type A5

ermA:   Erythromycin ribosome methylation A gene

ErmB:   Erythromycin ribosome methylation B gene

ErmC:   Erythromycin ribosome methylation C gene

IMP-1:   Imipenemase metallo-beta-lactamase type 1

IMP-2:   Imipenemase metallo-beta-lactamase type 2

KPC:   Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase

MCR-1:   Mobile colistin resistance gene 1

MecA:   Methicillin resistance gene A

MecC:   Methicillin resistance gene C

mefA:   Macrolide efflux gene A

NDM:   New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase

OXA-48:   Oxacillinase-48 carbapenemase

OXA-51:   Oxacillinase-51 carbapenemase (Acinetobacter)

PER-1:   Pseudomonas extended resistance beta-lactamase

qnrA:   Quinolone resistance protein A

QnrB_1of4:   Quinolone resistance protein B (variant 1 of 4)

QnrB_2of4:   Quinolone resistance protein B (variant 2 of 4)

QnrB_3of4:   Quinolone resistance protein B (variant 3 of 4)

QnrB_4of4:   Quinolone resistance protein B (variant 4 of 4)

qnrS:   Quinolone resistance protein S

SHV:   Sulfhydryl variable beta-lactamase

Sul1:   Sulfonamide resistance gene 1

Sul2:   Sulfonamide resistance gene 2

Tet(M):   Tetracycline resistance protein M

Tet(S):   Tetracycline resistance protein S

vanA2:   Vancomycin resistance gene cluster A2

vanB:   Vancomycin resistance gene cluster B

VEB:   Vietnamese extended-spectrum beta-lactamase