Wound Care Pathogen Testing
Comprehensive microbial analysis to help clinicians manage infection risk
Introduction
Molecular Insight for Chronic Wounds
This advanced molecular panel is tailored to detect a wide array of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as fungi, from polymicrobial wound environments. Ideal for chronic and complex cases—such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries, and surgical site infections—it delivers rapid identification of pathogens and often includes resistance marker detection. These insights support targeted antimicrobial therapy, reduce treatment delays, and improve healing outcomes for high-risk wound patients.
Why the Test Is Significant
Comprehensive Bioburden View
Identifies pathogens often missed by standard cultures
Antibiotic Resistance Insights
Detects resistance genes to guide optimal therapy selection
Improved Healing Outcomes
Enables targeted treatment of clinically relevant pathogens
Faster Than Traditional Culture
Especially for slow-growing or anaerobic organisms
Unknown and Interesting Facts
Chronic and complex wounds frequently host polymicrobial biofilms—dense microbial communities that can impede healing and evade immune defenses. These biofilms often include both viable and non-viable organisms. Molecular testing detects microbial DNA regardless of viability, offering a broader snapshot of the wound environment. While not all detected DNA reflects active infection, these results can still provide clinically relevant insights, especially in hard-to-heal wounds or when culture fails to identify pathogens.
Medical Necessity and Signs/Symptoms
- Non-healing or slowly healing wounds
- Signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, odor)
- Increased exudate or wound breakdown
- Diabetic foot ulcers or pressure sores
- Post-operative wound infections
- Burn-related wounds showing delayed recovery
- Complex wounds with prior negative culture results
- Situations requiring rapid identification of multiple pathogens
Post-Test Support
Elite Clinical Laboratory provides fast, comprehensive reporting that identifies both pathogens and resistance markers, supporting precision in wound care management. Our interpretation team assists clinicians in aligning molecular findings with clinical presentation. We also support collaboration with infectious disease or wound care specialists to ensure optimal therapy is selected based on the complete microbial profile—critical for accelerating recovery and avoiding unnecessary antimicrobial use.