This advanced technology is particularly effective for diagnosing challenging conditions, where a bacterial infection is suspected but cannot be identified through routine diagnostic methods. By sequencing all bacterial genetic material within a sample, we offer comprehensive detection of both common and rare bacterial pathogens without the need for prior culturing. This enables clinicians to make faster, more accurate treatment decisions, improving patient outcomes in critical and hard-to-diagnose cases.
Metagenomic pathogen detection
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Metagenomic pathogen detection
Our clinical metagenomic testing service provides an unbiased method for detecting and identifying bacterial DNA in patient samples.
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Clinical Details
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offers a powerful, unbiased solution for detecting bacterial pathogens in clinical samples, especially when traditional culture methods are slow or inconclusive. Unlike targeted molecular techniques, mNGS sequences all bacterial DNA within a sample, enabling broad-range detection without prior assumptions about the pathogen, or requirement of sequence-specific primers for target-specific or broad range PCR amplification. This approach allows for rapid identification of both common and rare bacteria directly from clinical specimens, providing species-level resolution critical for guiding targeted antimicrobial treatment.
mNGS is particularly valuable in diagnosing infections in sterile body sites or invasive diseases where pathogens are difficult to culture. It is also effective in cases where empirical treatment may be ineffective, enabling timely and accurate identification that significantly improves patient outcomes.
Case Study
Delivering True Innovation
At Enfer Medical, we have integrated a cutting-edge and fully automated WASPLab® (Walk Away Specimen Processor) that has significantly enhanced our testing capabilities to ensure the highest of quality when processing patient samples.
Our Services
Service
Health & Wellness
General health and wellness testing can include a variety of tests, depending on the needs of the individual or recommendations of
Find Out More
Service
Sexual Health
Regular STI screening facilitates early treatment and reduces the long-term consequences of infection.
Find Out More
Service
Respiratory Health
Rapid early pathogen identification has important treatment and infection control implications. See our range of tests here.
Find Out More
Service
Reproductive & Female Health
Hormonal analysis is hugely beneficial to identifying problems that can arise during the reproductive years.
Find Out More
Sample Type &
Volume Required
Bodily fluids, Tissue
Enfer Medical
Tests/Assays
Metagenomic pathogen detection
Patient
Request Form
Results are reviewed by experienced clinical scientists to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance.
All reports are delivered electronically and can be securely accessed anytime via the Enfer Medical Portal, providing convenient and confidential access for clinicians.
5 days
Results are available within five working days.
Weekly
Frequency of testing
Packaging
The packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory are required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. HSE guidance can be reviewed HERE.
There are specific packaging instructions and labelling requirements requiring triple packaging including:
- Primary leak-proof container – tube or vial containing the sample.
- Secondary watertight container, with absorbent material, intended to protect the primary container.
- Outer container protects the secondary container.
- Patient Request forms must be placed between the secondary container and the outer shipping container.
Further information on the packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory is contained within the Enfer Medical Laboratory User Manual which clients are provided with.
Storage & Stability
Specimens must be stored at 2-8°C and tested within 7 days of collection.
Transporting
Samples
Samples
In addition to the packaging of samples, the transport/delivery of clinical samples to the laboratory is required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. Enfer Medical provides a fully compliant logistics service, aligned with clients’ testing requirements.
Prompt transport of specimens:
To ensure prompt testing of samples and release of results within the published test turnaround times, samples should arrive to the laboratory by 18:00. Test turnaround time is measured from receipt of the sample at the laboratory until the time the authorised results are reported to users.
Acceptance/Rejection
of Samples
of Samples
In rare cases specimens may not be suitable for testing on arrival to the laboratory. In that case the sample will be rejected at the receipt stage and the service user will be notified immediately and an explanation as to why the sample could not be processed will be provided. Reasons why samples cannot be processed include but are not limited to:
- Samples received beyond the stability limits and/or not at the correct temperature indicated for each test.
- Incorrect sample type received.
- Leaking samples, sample not received or sample insufficient for analysis as stated below within sample requirements.
- Non-compliant samples or request forms i.e. those missing sample date information, missing sample test request and/or missing sample site/type information.
- Samples received without the necessary patient identifiers.
Clients will be provided with guidance on Sample Receipt Anomalies.
Our Services
Service
Health & Wellness
General health and wellness testing can include a variety of tests, depending on the needs of the individual or recommendations of
Find Out More
Service
Sexual Health
Regular STI screening facilitates early treatment and reduces the long-term consequences of infection.
Find Out More
Service
Respiratory Health
Rapid early pathogen identification has important treatment and infection control implications. See our range of tests here.
Find Out More
Service
Reproductive & Female Health
Hormonal analysis is hugely beneficial to identifying problems that can arise during the reproductive years.
Find Out More
Result Values:
Metagenomic Pathogen Identification
Metagenomic Pathogen Identification Results:
- [Bacterial species X detected]
Accessing
Your Results
Results are reviewed by experienced clinical scientists to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance.
All reports are delivered electronically and can be securely accessed anytime via the Enfer Medical Portal, providing convenient and confidential access for clinicians.