Scientists developing test to detect antibiotic resistance in under 45 minutes

Scientists are developing a low cost, rapid diagnostic sensor test which aims to show the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics within 45 minutes, reports the Medical Research Council.

NHS laboratory testing of samples can take up to two days and the test aims to allow doctors to be able to prescribe the correct antibiotic to a patient for an infection more quickly.

In a research paper published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, the University of Strathclyde team has demonstrated the system is capable of showing results in less than 45 minutes.

The scientists examined the difference in growth profiles between the common hospital acquired bacterial infections, Staphylococcus aureus, most strains of which are sensitive to antibiotics, and the drug resistant strain, MRSA, which is resistant to several widely used antibiotics and can be harder to treat.

The paper’s lead author, Dr Stuart Hannah, said: “There is a small difference between what makes an organism susceptible to an antibiotic and what makes it resistant.

“In real terms, we were able to distinguish between the two strains in less than 45 minutes, which is a significant improvement on the current gold standard of up to two days.

“The technology uses a low cost, commercially available sensor which acts like a mini culture dish that can deal with any kind of clinical sample.

“Rapid result detection means you could pinpoint bacterial versus viral infections straight away and would be able to start working on the correct treatment more quickly for patients, which is very important for particular infections.

“Antibiotic resistance is less likely to develop if you give a narrower spectrum antibiotic.”

The consultant anaesthetist on the project, Dr David Alcorn from Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital, said: “Being able to quickly diagnose an infection is a great enough ability, but to be able to also detect AMR within such a short period of time could prove to be a wonderful tool.

“It means that vital diagnostic information could be provided for clinicians across intensive care units, operating theatres, and emergency departments, to enable them to give the right drug at the right time.

“There is also scope for this to have an enormous impact within general practice and day-to-day healthcare.”

The researchers hope that if the test is developed for commercial use, it could be used by pharmacists and other points of care.