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Syndromic testing

Tackle respiratory infections with confidence

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Stay one step ahead this respiratory season

QIAGEN employees, team, working in the lab, laboratory, QIAstat Dx, Manchester, UK

Respiratory season doesn't always play by the rules. Surges can strike without warning, putting labs under pressure to deliver fast, accurate results.

Each year is different – pathogen trends shift, and it's hard to predict which one will rise next. Respiratory illness still poses a real risk, even with the COVID-19 pandemic behind us.

But preparation brings confidence. Read on to learn how syndromic testing can help you stay ready for the unexpected – providing quick, definitive answers when you need them most.

When respiratory infections look all the same, timely diagnosis makes all the difference

In this interview, Dr. Christine Ginocchio, our Chief Medical Officer, shares powerful clinical cases that show how respiratory infections can dramatically change patient outcomes.

She reveals why rapid, syndromic testing like the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus is so valuable for choosing the right diagnostic strategy. Discover how this approach helps protect vulnerable patients, improve outcomes and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship.

Latest news on respiratory infections

That's exactly where syndromic testing can help

  • icon-microbiomeFast answers in about one hour
  • icon-liquid-biopsyAccurate results for a comprehensive panel
  • icon-check-mark-circleSupports the right treatment for the right patient
1 instrument. 2 FDA-cleared panels. Better individual care.

Antibiotics for viral respiratory infections? It seems counterintuitive. But it's surprisingly common – and a big driver of antibiotic resistance.

Practicing good antimicrobial stewardship starts with a diagnosis. But not every test is right for every patient. That's why we offer two FDA-cleared respiratory panels:

QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus: For high-risk patients. This extended panel tests for 18 viruses and 3 bacteria, giving you comprehensive coverage of circulating pathogens.

QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Mini: For low-risk patients. Hone in on the five most prevalent respiratory viruses.

With just one instrument and two FDA-cleared tests, you can fine-tune your diagnostic approach and provide better individual care.

Your workflow never looked easier

Step one - load
Step two - scan
Step three - run
Step four - results

QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus

Comprehensive answers for your high-risk patients

Respiratory illnesses can be particularly dangerous for high-risk individuals, such as those with comorbidities. Diagnosing these infections quickly is crucial but often challenging, leading to a delay in appropriate treatment.

Imagine being able to test for 18 viruses and 3 bacteria in just about an hour. That's exactly what QIAstat-Dx can do.

1 panel. 21 targets. ~1 hour.

With results for 21 viral and bacterial targets in about an hour, the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus can help you improve triage and infection control for your most vulnerable patients. And provide better care, faster.

QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Mini

Targeted answers for your low-risk patients

Respiratory illness tops the list for outpatient visits, but not every cough or sneeze needs antibiotics.

Now you can get the right answer fast with our FDA-cleared QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Mini. It detects the five most prevalent respiratory viruses in about an hour, helping you make more precise treatment decisions.

We've expanded the traditional 4-plex panel to include rhinovirus – the most common cause of colds in the U.S (5). A positive result can help rule out more serious infections and guide appropriate therapy.

See the targets

Let's chat about how we can improve your respiratory testing
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Cycle your way to better care

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Get additional insight with cycle threshold (Ct) values

Need help navigating the complex landscape of respiratory illness? Are overlapping symptoms and confusing co-detections acting as road bocks to diagnosis?

Cycle threshold (Ct) values from QIAstat-Dx syndromic testing can give you added insights to aid in clinical interpretation.

Read on to learn how QIAstat-Dx Ct values can support you.

Don't settle for a partial pictures of co-infections

Respiratory co-infections are far from rare and can worsen symptoms (6). A recent study showed that co-detections involving two pathogens occur 12.4% of the time (7). Co-detections involving three or even four respiratory pathogens are also possible (7).

Comprehensive syndromic testing is crucial, but additional information may be necessary for clinical interpretation.

In these cases, Ct values can help. And that's where QIAstat-Dx stands out, uniquely providing easy access to Ct values and amplification curves for enhanced clinical insights.

Percentage of total respiratory detections involving two, three or four co-detected pathogens. Adapted from (2).
Percentage of total respiratory detections involving two, three or four co-detected pathogens. Adapted from (7).
I think that [Ct values] can help in the interpretation of the results, in particular in case of co-infections, in order to understand what is the virus or the bacteria that is probably more correlated with the clinical problem.
Liliana Gabrielli, MD, Microbiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Italy

Case study: Seeing beyond the respiratory symptoms with Ct values

A real clinical case resolved with results from QIAstat-Dx, provided by Xiaohui Nielsen, MD, PhD, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark.

  • A 1-year-old child with a four-day history of fever, cough and runny nose was admitted after experiencing progressive difficulty breathing
  • QIAstat-Dx* results came back quickly as positive for: Parainfluenza virus 3 (Ct: 19); Rhinovirus/enterovirus (Ct: 32); Adenovirus (Ct: 34)
  • Outcome: With a low Ct value of 19, parainfluenza virus 3 was suggested as the etiological agent of respiratory illness, while rhinovirus/enterovirus and adenovirus were correlated with co-infection. The child recovered and was discharged after three days.
  • Ct values can add an extra layer of information to aid in clinical diagnosis and help you determine the etiology of a respiratory syndrome.
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Zoonotic influenza

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Strengthen pandemic preparedness with QIAstat-Dx

A future influenza pandemic is a question of when, not if. Continuous surveillance of emerging zoonotic viruses is essential for an early and effective response.

Since April 2024, the detection of human H5N1 avian influenza cases has heightened public health vigilance (8). Identifying these viruses before they adapt for human-to-human transmission is critical to preparedness.

The QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus supports these efforts by detecting seasonal influenza A viruses and potentially emerging zoonotic strains*** relevant to surveillance and vaccine development.

By potentially detecting non-human influenza strains*** alongside human subtypes, QIAstat-Dx helps generate valuable surveillance data as part of routine testing – at no additional cost. This strengthens early warning systems and supports faster, more informed responses to new threats.

Learn how QIAstat-Dx can support your lab's role in pandemic preparedness.

Download study

*** If only an Influenza A signal is present and no additional signal for any of the subtypes is generated, it can be due to either low concentration; or, in very rare cases, a new variant, or any Influenza A strain other than H1 and H3 (e.g., H5n1 which can infect humans). In cases where only an Influenza A signal is detected and there is a clinical suspicion of non-seasonal Influenza A, retesting is recommended. If the same results are obtained upon retesting, contact the appropriate public health authorities for confirmatory testing (9).

Learn on demand

Webinar: How the right respiratory test can impact antimicrobial stewardship

How can clinicians improve diagnostic accuracy for respiratory illness? And how can this impact antimicrobial stewardship? Watch our on-demand webinar with resident expert Neil Grossman to find out.

Watch the webinar
Neil Grossman Webinar On-demand cover
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Get to know QIAstat-Dx

QIAstat-Dx simplifies infectious disease diagnostics so you can get faster results for your patients. All you need are a patient sample, a QIAstat-Dx assay cartridge and the intuitive QIAstat-Dx Analyzer 1.0 or 2.0.

  • Get answers fast: Results for several pathogens in about an hour.
  • Additional insights: See Ct values and amplification curves for additional insight on co-detections.
  • Fully customizable: Equip it with between one to four Analytical Modules to test up to four samples at once.
  • Save space: A small benchtop unit you can fit in any corner of your lab.
  • Stay connected: Real-time test updates and custom epidemiology reports through QIAsphere.**
QIAstat Rise, Syndromic testing, Lab director checking display on instrument, beside instrument,
Handle the surge with QIAstat-Dx Rise

When respiratory season hits, testing demand can surge overnight. Longer turnaround times and resource strain don't have to be the norm.

With QIAstat-Dx Rise, you can scale confidently. Its modular, fully automated system streamlines workflows, reduces hands-on time, and processes up to 160 samples per day. Start new tests anytime, prioritize urgent cases, and review Ct values and amplification curves for additional clinical insights.

Take your diagnostic testing to new heights – and stay ready for whatever this respiratory season brings.

Learn more

Further reading

References

  1. CDC. (2025) The National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS). https://www.cdc.gov/nrevss/php/dashboard/index.html?
  2. CDC. (2024) Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infections Have Been Increasing. https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/mycoplasma-pneumoniae-infections-have-been-increasing.html
  3. CDC. (2025) Pertussis Surveillance and Trends. https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/php/surveillance/index.html
  4. JCI. (2024) Antibiotic use during influenza infection augments lung eosinophils that impair immunity against secondary bacterial pneumonia. https://www.jci.org/articles/view/180986
  5. CDC. (2024) About Common Cold. https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/index.html#cdc_disease_basics_causes_risk_spread-causes-and-spread
  6. Liu Y, Ling L, Wong SH, et al. Outcomes of respiratory viral-bacterial co-infection in adult hospitalized patients. EClinicalMedicine. 2021;37:100955. Published 2021 Jun 10. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100955
  7. Ali U, Zainal M, Zainol Z, et al. Performance evaluation of two multiplex qualitative RT-PCR assays for detection of respiratory infection in pediatric population. Malays J Pathol. 2023;45(2):215-227.
  8. CDC. (2024) Confirmed Novel Influenza A Virus Infections. https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/Novel_Influenza.html
  9. QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus Instructions for Use (2024) https://www.qiagen.com/us/resources/resourcedetail?id=4f02fea1-09bb-4fd2-9d03-99dfbdbbc893&lang=en

* This case was resolved using the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel (Cat. No. 691214). This version of the panel is not available in the U.S. or Canada.
** Some features require a QIAstat-Dx Connectivity plan. Flexible plans are available to meet your needs.

For up-to-date licensing information and product-specific disclaimers, see the respective QIAGEN kit instructions for use or user manual. QIAGEN instructions for use and user manuals are available at www.qiagen.com or can be requested from QIAGEN Technical Services (or your local distributor).