On June 2, 2020, Nextstrain clarified the clade naming for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This brings up the question: What do the terms “subspecies”, “strain” and “clade” mean, and why does it matter to you? In taxonomy (the science of naming and classifying biology), the word “clade” isn’t used only to divide a […]
New Educational Resource: Downloadable “From Cat Scratch Disease to Bartonellosis” Brochure
At the end of 2018, we launched an educational webpage designed to give an overview of bartonellosis and emphasize how the acute and chronic disease manifestations differ. The webpage has been converted into a brochure that we encourage you to share with friends, family members, colleagues, and anyone else who may be interested in learning […]
A Message from our CEO: Galaxy and COVID-19
Galaxy Diagnostics CEO/President Amanda Elam provides an update on what Galaxy is doing to care for customers, team members and the communities that we serve throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Navigating the Path from Pandemic Crisis to Business Recovery At Galaxy, our number one priority during this crisis is keeping people safe. We are focused on […]
The Infectious Dose of Pathogens and Transmission Risk
The likelihood that a pathogen will overwhelm the immune system and cause a person to become ill has to do with the dose of the exposure. Scientists have explored the dose of exposure in a variety of infectious diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and – most recently – COVID-19. Scientists are learning more about how […]
What does the Novel Coronavirus Mean for Tick-borne Disease Exposure?
As states continue to enforce shelter-in-place and social distancing orders, news reports suggest that people and their pets are spending more time engaging in outdoor activities. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, people should be aware that experts are warning the mild winter may mean larger populations of disease-carrying ticks across the United […]
What are nonspecific findings and symptoms? Why are they important in an emerging disease?
Nonspecific findings and symptoms can be caused by a variety of health conditions, so the puzzle of finding their origins can leave people sick but undiagnosed for years or even a lifetime. The existence of nonspecific findings and symptoms highlights the importance of research that advances the ability to diagnose illness quickly and accurately. A […]