Introduction To The Extended Respiratory Panel (ERP)

Clarity Lab Solutions uses an advanced pathogen panel utilizing multiple molecular hardware platforms. It is a comprehensive, robust assay that detects multiple respiratory pathogens simultaneously in a closed-tube, easy–to-use system. This pathogen panel also detects COVID-19. 

Upper respiratory infection is responsible for many life-threatening illnesses. Clarity Lab Solutions offers a multiplexed molecular respiratory pathogen panel developed to broaden and streamline testing for multiple viral and bacterial agents of the upper respiratory tract. The test is performed by nasopharyngeal swab and provides more information quickly and accurately.

Rapid, Accurate, Reliable Results

• Molecular Test
• Nasopharyngeal swab/Oropharyngeal swab
• Rapid Turnaround Time – 24-48 Hours After Receipt at Lab 
• Remarkable Detection Capabilities
• Comprehensive Panel of 20 Targets
• Closed-Tube System Minimizes Contamination Risks
• Minimal Hands-On time

Viral Targets
Influenza A
Influenza A H1
Influenza A H3
Influenza B
Respiratory Syncytial Virus A
Respiratory Syncytial Virus B
Parainfluenza 1
Parainfluenza 2
Parainfluenza 3
Parainfluenza 4
Coronavirus 229C
Coronavirus NL63
Coronavirus OC43
Coronavirus HKU1
Metapneumovirus
Rhinovirus/Enterovirus
Adenovirus
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Bacterial Targets
Chlamydophila Pneumoniae
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae


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Additional Information on ERP Testing

• ERP test pinpoints the COVID-19 virus, along with a number of other respiratory viruses and pneumonia causing bacteria, so that physicians can render treatment swiftly and accurately; possibly reducing the severity and duration of infection.
• Treatment protocols for bacterial pathogens and viral pathogens are vastly different – identifying the pathogen is key to proper and effective treatment.
• Molecular testing is far superior to screen testing traditionally used in physicians’ offices.
• Molecular testing is faster than viral culture.

• Screen Testing:
  • Requires a large input of virus/bacteria to work effectively.
  • Is highly dependent on proper specimen collection and preparation.
  • Is accurate 89-100% of the time when the patient has a high viral infection, but fails 40-69% of the time when the patient’s viral infection is above or below the established sensitivity of the screen.
  • Is fraught with false positives and false negatives due to inconsistencies in sample collection and preparation.
  • Doesn’t differentiate which species of flu the patient has.
  • Doesn't test for various other viral and bacterial pathogens.

• Conventional culture and sensitivity testing (which is standard) can take from a few days to a week to get results.
• The limits on molecular testing are far superior to conventional screen methods – they utilize PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology, allowing small quantities of nucleic acid to be amplified into detectable levels.
• ERP test is a multiplex assay differentiating 18 strains of respiratory viruses, and two species of bacteria responsible for atypical, community-acquired pneumonias.
• Patient populations benefit from this test by precise detection and treatment protocols based on their infection state.
• Certain communities – hospitals, schools, large companies, long-term care facilities – can utilize the test’s multiplex capabilities to implement the proper quarantine procedures for patients infected with highly transmissible diseases and provide timely treatment to contain and cure infected individuals.
• Typical influenza symptoms: dry or productive cough, runny nose, lethargy, abnormal sputum, fever, body aches
• A patient may be asymptomatic yet growing the infection and keeping it at bay, until they weaken and ultimately become sick.
• Due to the inherent faults in screen tests, negative and positive flu screens alike should be verified and differentiated by molecular testing.

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