About the Sinus Panel

The Sinus Panel was developed by ear, nose and throat specialists to target the specific pathogens found in the sinus cavity that causes chronic sinusitis. The development of this panel includes complex anaerobic bacteria and fungus that is often not identified through culture methodology or takes weeks to grow and result.

PCR is the only diagnostic that specifically targets these unique pathogens in the sinuses with virtually 100% accuracy and specificity within 24 hours. With the addition of pathogens commonly seen by ENT’s helps to guide pediatric, urgent care, geriatric, pulmonology and family practices accurately diagnose patients and quickly treat with the right antibiotic.

How is the test done?

A nasal swab is easily obtained using the convenient Puritan Nasopharyngeal Collection and Transport System, placed in a pre-paid UPS clinical pack and overnighted to Excelsior Diagnostics.

The specimen is processed by PCR molecular technology and resulted in four hours. When the test is positive, the identified bacteria are automatically submitted for Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) Screening, to immediately identify the most effective antibiotic treatment.

How is that better than the standard legacy method?

Excelsior’s Sinus Panel is the most comprehensive screening panel available today, screening for 34 targets in a single test. Our Sinus Panel is one of the only ones that test for H. Pylori. The presence of H. Pylori in the sinuses explains the acid reflux in the esophagus which causes chronic sinusitis in patients.

Same day results of both the culture and the Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) Panel detect mixed or co-infections, and can effectively filter novel strains through sub-typing, mitigating the spread of viruses. Accurate detection enables health care providers to treat infections more quickly and precisely than any other screening method, resulting in better treatment outcomes – especially in children, and elderly or immunocompromised patients.

26 BACTERIAL TARGETS
Bacteria: Acinetobacter baumannii / Corynebacterium striatum / Enterobacter aerogenes / Enterobacter cloacae / Enterococcus faecalis / Enterococcus faecium / Escherichia coli / Klebsiella pneumoniae / Morganella morganii / Peptostreptococcus anaerobius / Proteus mirabilis / Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Serratia marcescens / Staphylococcus aureus / Staphylococcus epidermis / Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B) / Streptococcus pyogenese (Group A) / Streptococcus pneumoniae / Haemophilus influenzae / Moraxella catarrhalis / Fusobacterium nucleatum / Prevotella SPP / Peptostreptococcus SPP / Methicillin-Resistant S. Aureus (MRSA) / Mycobacterium kansasii / Helicobacter pylori
8 FUNGAL TARGETS
Fungi: Alternaria / Candida albicans / Candida glabrata / Candida parapsilosis / Candida tropicalis /
Aspergillus SPP / Microsporidium / Curvularia lunata

 

View the Complete Antibiotic Resistance Panel (ABR)

Antibiotic – Gene
  • Methicillin – mecA
  • Vancomycin – VanA1
  • Vancomycin – VanA2
  • Vancomycin – VanB
  • Quinolone and fluoroquinolone resistance – QnrA
  • Quinolone and fluoroquinolone resistance – QnrB
  • Macrolide resistance – ErmA
  • Macrolide resistance – ErmB
  • Macrolide resistance – ErmC
  • Ampicillin – ampC
  • Tetracycline – tetM
  • Carbapenem resistance – VIM
  • Carbapenem resistance – KPC
  • Carbapenem resistance – OXA-23
  • Carbapenem resistance – IMP-16
  • Carbapenem resistance – IMP-7
  • Carbapenem resistance OXA-72
  • Carbapenem resistance OXA-40
  • Carbapenem resistance – OXA-58
  • Carbapenem resistance – OXA-48
  • Carbapenem resistance – NDM
  • Beta-Lactam – blaSHV-5
  • Extended-Spectrum-Betalactamase – SHV
  • Extended-Spectrum-Betalactamase – CTX-M group 1
  • Extended-Spectrum-Betalactamase – CTX-M group 2
  • Extended-Spectrum-Betalactamase – CTX-M group 9
  • Extended-Spectrum-Betalactamase – CTX-M group 8/25
Order Specimen Collection Packet

Instructions for Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection

Materials:

  • Sterile Dacron/ Nylon Swab
  • Viral Transport Media Tube (Should contain 1-3mL of sterile viral transport medium)

Patient Preparation

Explain collection procedure to patient prior to collection to reduce anxiety and discomfort.

 Procedure:

  1. Tilt patient’s head back 70 degrees.
  2. Insert swab into nostril. (Swab should reach depth equal to distance from nostrils to outer opening of the ear.) Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
  3. Slowly move swab while rotating it. (Swab both nostrils with same swab.)
  4. Place tip of swab into sterile viral transport media tube and snap/ cut off the applicator stick.

Packing:

  • Label the specimen on the viral transport media tube with two identifiers and ensure cap on tube is tightly sealed. (Do not use a pencil or pen for labeling, as they can rub off or smear. Instead, use a bar code or permanent marker.)
  • Fill out test requisition and ensure that the patient identifiers match the specimen
  • Pack the requisition with the specimen.
  • Include a frozen cold pack with the specimen(s).
  • Pack specimen(s) in accordance with the US Department of Transportation regulations regarding shipment of biological substances.

Shipping:

  • Ship specimens for testing as soon as possible.
  • Store at 2-8 degrees C for no more than three days if shipping will be delayed.

Considerations:

A surgical mask and gloves are recommended at a minimum for all procedures. For some patients and procedures, additional precautions may be indicated, see Standard Precautions here.

Download & Print Instructions
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The Excelsior Guarantee

Excelsior Diagnostics is a specialty medical diagnostic lab that performs all testing exclusively by Polymerase Chain Reaction Molecular Analysis, the most accurate diagnostic medical testing available today.