Three transplant clinicians discuss how qPCR and NGS molecular diagnostics are being applied in lung transplant care, where heavily immunosuppressed recipients face some of the highest infection-related risks in solid organ transplantation and where conventional culture often falls short.

The conversation covers real-world experience using MicroGenDX in both surveillance and for-cause bronchoalveolar lavage, the diagnostic yield observed against conventional culture, faster turnaround for slow-growing and hard-to-culture organisms, antimicrobial resistance gene detection, antibiotic stewardship, cost considerations, and the future of pairing molecular pathogen detection with cell-free DNA and microbiome research. The panel is consistent on one point: molecular testing complements conventional culture and clinical judgment rather than replacing them, and interpretation belongs to a multidisciplinary team.
This discussion reflects the clinical experience and opinions of the participating physicians.

Featured Participants

Dr. Joanna M. Schaenman, MD, PhD
UCLA. Transplant Infectious Diseases. Moderator.

Dr. Aldo T. Iacono, MD
Northwell Health. Advanced Lung Disease and Transplantation.

Dr. Yoichiro Natori, MD
University of Miami. Solid Organ Transplant Infectious Diseases.

Discussion Highlights

Use of qPCR and NGS in both surveillance and for-cause bronchoalveolar lavage

Improved diagnostic yield in culture-negative patients who are clinically infected

Faster identification of slow-growing and hard-to-culture organisms, including Nocardia, NTM, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma

Antimicrobial resistance gene detection to support earlier, more targeted therapy

Antibiotic stewardship: tailoring, escalating, or stopping therapy with multidisciplinary input

Molecular testing positioned as a complement to culture and clinical judgment, not a replacement

Future directions: ICU expansion, donor testing, microbiome and allograft outcome research, and pairing with cell-free DNA

About MicroGenDX

MicroGenDX combines qPCR and NGS across a broad range of specimen types. qPCR and NGS results typically available within 24 to 48 hours from sample receipt. MicroGenDX is a CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified, CLEP-permitted (NYS DOH) molecular diagnostics laboratory. Learn more about test capabilities and published data at microgendx.com.