Introduction
Chronic wounds—whether from diabetes, pressure ulcers, or trauma—can be some of the most challenging conditions in clinical practice. Despite appropriate dressings and standard antibiotics, some wounds stubbornly refuse to heal.
The reason often lies beneath the surface: biofilm-forming bacteria and multi-drug-resistant pathogens that evade routine cultures and delay appropriate care.
At Devansh Lab Werks, our Wound Pathogen Panel uses cutting-edge molecular diagnostics to uncover what standard cultures miss—offering clinicians a faster path to infection control and wound recovery.
The Real Burden of Non-Healing Wounds
Chronic wounds affect over 6.5 million people in the U.S., particularly those with:
· Diabetes
· Peripheral arterial disease
· Immobility (bedsores)
· Immunocompromised conditions
· Surgical wound complications
Delayed healing not only prolongs pain and disability but also increases risk of sepsis, limb amputation, and hospital readmissions.
The Microbial Challenge: Biofilms and Resistance
Wounds that don’t heal in a timely manner often harbor:
· Polymicrobial infections involving multiple bacterial species
· Anaerobic bacteria that are hard to culture in labs
· Fungi or yeast in immunocompromised patients
· Biofilms that protect bacteria from antibiotics and immune attack
· Drug-resistant organisms such as MRSA or ESBL-producing gram-negatives
Traditional culture methods often fail to detect these pathogens or take too long to guide real-time treatment decisions.
How DLW’s Wound Pathogen Panel Makes a Difference
Our panel uses multiplex PCR to rapidly detect the DNA of a wide range of wound-associated organisms, including:
Organism Type
Examples Detected
Aerobic bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli
Anaerobes
Bacteroides, Clostridium spp.
Fungi/Yeast
Candida albicans, Candida glabrata
Resistance markers
mecA (MRSA), vanA/B (VRE), ESBL, KPC, MBL
With results typically available within 24 to 48 hours, the test enables:
· Targeted antibiotic therapy
· Antifungal intervention when needed
· Earlier debridement or wound care escalation
· Reduced hospital stays and re-admissions
Explore more of our precision diagnostics at Devansh Lab Werks.
Case Example: Unmasking Hidden Pathogens in a Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Mr. Peterson, 62, had a diabetic foot ulcer that hadn’t responded to multiple courses of antibiotics. His wound looked superficially clean but remained open and painful.
DLW’s Wound Pathogen Panel identified a mixed infection with Staphylococcus aureus and anaerobic Bacteroides fragilis—both resistant to the antibiotics he had been receiving. A new targeted regimen resulted in visible improvement within 10 days.
This case illustrates the power of molecular diagnostics to guide better wound care.
When to Use Wound Pathogen Testing
DLW’s Wound Pathogen Panel is ideal for:
· Diabetic foot ulcers not healing after standard care
· Post-surgical wounds with signs of delayed healing or inflammation
· Pressure ulcers in immobile or elderly patients
· Wounds with signs of infection but negative cultures
· Patients with prior antibiotic exposure or high risk of resistance
Timely diagnosis can prevent systemic spread, amputations, or long-term hospitalization.
DLW Testing Workflow
1. Swab or tissue sample collected from wound base
2. Multiplex PCR detects up to 25+ pathogens and resistance markers
3. Digital report delivered within 24–48 hours
4. Therapy guidance enables targeted wound management
Our approach ensures your wound care protocol is backed by data, not guesswork.
FAQs: Wound Pathogen Testing
1. Can this test be used after starting antibiotics?
Yes. PCR can still detect microbial DNA even if the patient is already on antibiotics, which often reduces the sensitivity of cultures.
2. What sample type is needed?
A wound swab or tissue biopsy is preferred, collected under sterile conditions by a healthcare provider.
3. Will the panel show which antibiotic to use?
While the panel doesn’t provide direct susceptibility results, it does detect resistance genes, allowing the physician to rule out ineffective antibiotics and choose an appropriate therapy.
4. Can it detect fungal infections too?
Yes. The panel includes detection of common Candida species that may complicate wound healing in immunocompromised patients.
Don’t Let Chronic Infections Go Undetected
When wounds stall, it’s time to test deeper. With DLW’s Wound Pathogen Panel, you can identify hidden infections, optimize therapy, and move your patient closer to healing.
Learn more about our Wound Pathogen Testing and how we support clinicians with real-time, actionable diagnostics.
