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Karius Focus | BAL

A new diagnostic solution for patients with suspected lung infection.

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Enhance the Diagnostic Process for Lung Infections

Karius Focus™ | BAL is a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid-based mcfDNA metagenomic sequencing test that is designed for detection and classification of over 500 pathogens associated with lung infection.

The Karius Focus™ | BAL test is a laboratory developed test (LDT) that was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Karius, Inc. This test has not been reviewed or cleared by the FDA. The Karius laboratory is CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited.

What We Detect: From Common to Difficult-to-Detect Pathogens

Obligate Pathogens

Obligate pathogens often present with non-specific symptoms or are masked by empiric therapy. Traditional diagnostics can miss fastidious microbes or other organisms difficult to identify by standard methods, potentially delaying definitive treatment . Karius Focus | BAL helps uncover these clinically significant pathogens.

Some of the key organisms detected include:

Legionella pneumophila, Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

See the Full Pathogen List

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How it works

Test Process

Karius Focus | BAL provides pathogen detection results typically available within the next day of sample receipt.

Step 1

Specimen collection - 1 mL BAL fluid (BALF) Streck CP tube

Step 2

Sample received by Karius laboratory

Step 3

Specimen processing - Microbial cell-free DNA isolation and library preparation

Step 4

Sequencing and analysis - Microbial cell–free DNA sequencing and curated clinical-grade pathogen database

Step 5

Karius Focus | BAL Report - Detection of clinically relevant pathogens

Test Process

Frequently Asked Questions

The test utilizes microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) sequencing to identify microbes present in BAL fluid. A 1 ml aliquot of BAL fluid is collected during bronchoscopy and shipped to Karius, where it is processed and analyzed. Results are typically available within 24 hours after sample receipt​.

Over, 350+ Bacteria, 115+ Fungi/Molds, 35+ Other Eukaryota, 15+ DNA Viruses. For a complete pathogen list click here

Microorganisms detected in Karius Focus | BAL reports are categorized based on their potential likelihood of causing lung infection. As with other microbiological testing, clinical context and additional diagnostic data are required for accurate interpretation​.

  • Obligate & Opportunistic Pathogens: May cause lung infection.
  • Microbes with Pathogenic Potential & DNA Viruses: May cause lung infection or represent commensals, including upper respiratory tract flora.
  • Upper Respiratory Tract Flora: More commonly commensals and less commonly causing lung infection

Possible reasons include:

  • Aspiration pneumonia: Oropharyngeal microbes entering the lower respiratory tract.
  • Airway colonization: Due to the sampling collection process of BAL, there may be presence of colonizing microbes of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
  • Patient immune status: In immunocompromised patients, commensals can contribute to infections​.

You can reach us Monday - Sunday 6am-4pm PST by phone at 1-866-452-7487 or by email at help@kariusdx.com.

References

*In a study of 118 immunocompromised patients with suspected pneumonia, Karius Focus | BAL identified the adjudicated cause of pneumonia in 40 patients versus 28 with SOC alone.1