Bacterial culture
Culture of nasal and throat specimens to recover and identify clinically significant bacteria and characterize what is present in the sample.
Culture-Based Upper Respiratory Micro Screen (Nasal & Throat)
Bacterial & fungal culture, MARCoNS evaluation, and susceptibility testing for persistent upper respiratory symptoms.
What the Upper Respiratory Micro Screen (Nasal & Throat) includes
Culture recovers and identifies the bacterial and fungal organisms colonizing the nasal passages and throat, with MARCoNS evaluation and isolate identification to inform clinical decisions.
Fungal culture
Culture for yeast and mold to detect fungal organisms that may contribute to persistent or recurrent upper respiratory symptoms.
MARCoNS evaluation
MARCoNS testing is performed by culture. Recovered isolates are evaluated for MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci), a marker of resistant staphylococcal colonization in the upper respiratory tract.
Organism identification (Group A and MARCoNS identification)
Identification of recovered bacterial and fungal isolates, including Group A Streptococcus and MARCoNS identification, giving providers a clearer picture of the organisms detected.
Additional testing for positive cultures
For clinically significant bacterial and fungal isolates, RSM Diagnostics Lab offers additional testing to help guide treatment selection.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST)
Positive bacterial cultures receive antibiotic susceptibility testing. Results are reported on clinically significant isolates to help guide antibiotic selection.
Natural Agent Sensitivity Testing
Positive isolates are tested against 10+ natural antimicrobial agents, offering supplemental in vitro data for providers who incorporate integrative or functional medicine into patient care.
Who should get tested?
This test may be useful in the evaluation of patients with the following presentations.
Clinical presentations
- Recurrent or chronic sinusitis
- Persistent nasal congestion or rhinitis
- Chronic sore throat
- Recurrent upper respiratory infections
- Suspected bacterial or fungal colonization
- Persistent symptoms despite prior treatment
- PANS/PANDAS evaluation (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and its streptococcal-associated subtype)
Why test for MARCoNS?
MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci) testing is performed by culture, and can provide clinically useful information in patients with persistent upper respiratory symptoms or recurrent infections, particularly when standard therapies have not resulted in lasting improvement.
Who may benefit from testing
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Chronic rhinosinusitis
- Persistent nasal congestion
- Symptoms despite multiple antibiotic courses
- Suspected chronic bacterial colonization
- Recurrent upper respiratory infections
- Persistent postnasal drainage
- Patients being evaluated within integrative or functional medicine practices where chronic nasal colonization is part of the clinical assessment
Note: The association between MARCoNS and CIRS is not universally accepted. Current evidence is limited, and major infectious disease and otolaryngology guidelines do not recommend routine MARCoNS testing for all patients with chronic sinus disease.
Sample report
Preview a representative Upper Respiratory Micro Screen report to see how RSM presents culture findings, organism identification, and susceptibility results.
Throat Sample Report
Culture-based report covering bacterial and fungal recovery, MARCoNS evaluation where applicable, organism identification, and susceptibility findings on clinically significant isolates.
View test details →Laboratory disclaimers
The following disclaimers apply to natural agent sensitivity testing and MARCoNS results.
Natural Agent Sensitivity Testing. Natural agent sensitivity testing is performed in vitro (laboratory testing) and is intended to provide supplemental information for healthcare providers. Laboratory susceptibility results may not directly predict clinical effectiveness or patient outcomes. Natural agent sensitivity results should be interpreted in conjunction with the patient's clinical presentation, medical history, and other diagnostic findings. This testing is not intended to recommend, endorse, or replace standard medical therapy or evidence-based clinical judgment.
MARCoNS Results. MARCoNS results should always be interpreted within the context of the patient's clinical history, symptoms, physical examination, and other diagnostic findings. Colonization does not necessarily indicate active infection, and detection alone does not establish disease causation. Natural antimicrobial sensitivity testing reflects in vitro laboratory activity and may not predict clinical effectiveness in individual patients.
Order Upper Respiratory testing
Request an Upper Respiratory Micro Screen (Nasal & Throat) test kit, or contact our team for clinician support and ordering information.
For test offerings beyond this panel, contact our team directly and we will talk through what fits your patients and your practice.
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