FAQ - Frequently asked questions

💩  Which samples should I collect?

Check our knowledgebase for detailed instructions on sample collection. 

🔧 THE SWAB AND FILTER ARE CLOGGED, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Check if you have resuspended the sample very well. Mixing of the sample for 30 sec is important. Also check whether you didn't add too much of organic material (e.g feces).

If >1 ml has been aspirated this is no problem. Proceed with shipment of the sample

If <1 ml fluid has been collected in the syringe, then perform the following actions: 1/ disconnect the swab and filter from the syringe, 2/ aspirate a full syringe with air, reconnect the swab and filter to the syringe and push the air through the filter and swab, 3/ aspirate again & check whether the swab tip is not bend in a corner of 90°C as this will also lead to obstruction of the flow

🗃  How should I store my sampling kits?

Storage of sampling kits is recommended at ambient temperature. Do not expose the sampling kits to extreme temperature fluctuations such as cold or heat. Once the sampling kit has been used for sample collection, sample should be cooled at ~4°C at all time

🕰  HOW long can I store my sampling kits?

There are currently no components in the kit with an expiration date. Off course you will create value by using PathoSense, so no reason to waste your kits on the shelf.

🏖  I have collected samples on friday evening or during the weekend, what should I do?

Keep your samples refrigerated at 4°C during the weekend and deliver them on Monday. You can always deliver sampling kits at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke. The sample fridge can be found in the garage of the Ambulatory Clinics, entrance 54. Please notify us that the sample was delivered. Fetuses should be delivered during office hours at the Laboratory of Virology, entrance 24, 2nd floor.

🥶 Should I freeze my samples?

No, please don't do that. Storage at 4°C is perfect.

🔓 The combination of my account name and password are not matching?

Did you use your email address for login in the mobile app? During login you generated a specific account name which should be used for login to the website and app.

📱 I cannot scan the barcode with my camera?

Maybe the barcode is covered by some organic material? If you can still read the barcode number, then you can fill in the number manually as well.

🚚  Will my sample be picked-up automatically when it is registered in the app?

No(t yet), sample logistics depends on where your sample has been collected and how you purchased your sampling kits.

🇧🇪 Samples coming from within Belgium:

If you want to send samples for analysis to Dialab, you should contact Dialab.

If you bought your sampling kits via DGZ Vlaanderen or Velab, you should contact them for sample pick-up.

If you bought sampling kits from PathoSense: deliver the samples yourself or contact Miedema (info@ophaaldienstmiedema.nl) for delivery of your sample at PathoSense

🇳🇱 Samples coming from The Netherlands:

Directly contact Miedema (info@ophaaldienstmiedema.nl) and ask for delivery at PathoSense

🇩🇪 Samples coming from Germany:

The border region (postal codes 40-52) with The Netherlands can be reached by Miedema. For other locations within Germany contact us by email (info@pathosense.com) or chat.

⏳ When can i expect my results?

Upon arrival of the samples at the PathoSense laboratory, it will take on average between 3 to 5 workdays to deliver the results in the mobile app.

🧬 Is this a PCR or how does it work?

No, we do not use specific primers for targeting the pathogens inside your sample. Discover more about how it works.

🧫  Can you perform antimicrobial resistance screening and bacterial typing from a diagnostic analysis?

No, currently we will be able to deliver you a broad identification of viruses and bacteria directly from a PathoSense diagnostic analysis. For viruses, we are already able to provide you with strain information. Please check our proposals regarding AMR and bacterial typing from bacterial isolates (fresh broth and culture plates).

🦠  Should I consider a virus or bacteria that is assigned as "low" as unimportant

The interpretation depends on the virus that has been found. As an example, the low detection of an influenza virus in respiratory samples of pigs has to be considered as important, as this is a primary respiratory pathogen. It just means that the sample collection was not done at the peak of shedding. Interpretation should be done case by case and you will be guided with a brief note to the results.

📥  How can i download my report?

There are two options for getting the report out of the PathoSense Cloud.

From within the app, you push on the button "send results to myself". A pdf report will be available in your emailbox shortly hereafter.

From the website, you can simply download the pdf report by pushing the button "Download results".

🎓 Where can I find more information about pathogens?

Keep an eye on the Knowdledgebase and our PathoSense Youtube channel. If you do have questions that you want to discuss with us, please contact us by phone (Dr. Sebastiaan Theuns: 0475 45 83 27 or Prof. Hans Nauwynck: 09 264 73 73), email (info@pathosense.com), chat or book a short meeting.