Patient Case Study 1
PCR for Gastrointestinal Infections
Before PCR Testing
Audrey was born 12 weeks premature at a hospital with a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
She later developed the symptoms of a gastrointestinal (GI) infection. Based upon her worsening condition, the doctor suspected a possibility of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
NEC is a devastating disease affecting the intestine, mostly in premature infants, with a 25 percent mortality rate. 1
The cost of NEC is $180,000 to $198,000/infant and nearly doubles to $313,000/infant for surgically treated NEC. In the first 3 years of life, NEC survivors also accrue substantially higher outpatient costs.
(1Advances in Nutrition, Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2017, Pages 80-91, https://doi.org/10.3945/an.116.013193)
PCR for Gastrointestinal Infections
After PCR Testing
Enteroinvasive E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus infections were identified with the help of HealthTrackRx.
The HealthTrackRx report also included antimicrobial resistance genes and identified the Staphylococcus aureus as harboring the mecA gene, indicative of methicillin resistant (MRSA). Audrey’s antibiotic treatment was adjusted, and actions were taken to address the MRSA detected.
Five days later, and two days after Audrey finished her antibiotic treatment, the culture and sensitivity test results confirmed E. coli as the source of the infection, and reinforced the antibiotic used for treatment.
