Rapid test to detect antibiotic resistance developed

BENGALURU: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have developed a rapid, low-cost test to detect antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The paper-based platform developed by researchers could help quickly detect the presence of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria — also called “superbugs”.

A handful of such bacteria — including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus — have caused over a million deaths, and these numbers are projected to rise in the coming years, according to the World Health Organisation.

“Generally, the doctor diagnoses the patient and gives them medicines. The patient then takes it for two-three days before realising that the medicine is not working and goes back to the doctor. Even diagnosing that the bacteria is antibiotic-resistant from blood or urine tests takes time. We wanted to reduce that time-to-diagnosis,” says Uday Maitra, professor, Department of Organic Chemistry, IISc.

Reiterating that while timely diagnosis is key for effective treatment, existing diagnostic tests are expensive and time-consuming, researchers said, the new test involves a specially-designed paper strip embedded with a fluorescent hydrogel matrix.

“...In the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the hydrogel emits a green glow that is captured by a portable imaging device within two hours. The intensity of fluorescence indicates the bacterial load. Initial tests with spiked urine samples mimicking urinary tract infections were successful,” IISc said in a statement.

The team has tied up with Adiuvo Diagnostics to create the low-cost portable detection device called “Illuminate Fluorescence Reader”.

Maitra, who led the study, plans to conduct trials in hospitals to verify the technology's performance with patient samples. The rapid, affordable test could help doctors quickly identify antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes.

The research was published in ACS Sensors journal. The technology promises a new weapon in the fight against superbugs, which WHO warns could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 without intervention.