Test Captures Treatment-Resitant Biofilms
Researchers from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and Northern Arizona University collaborated to develop a new diagnostic test that identifies infections to biofilm that resist standard treatments. The development was described on Medical Device Link.
The technology employed for this laboratory analysis is lateral flow assay. The test is rapid, providing a diagnosis in less than ten minutes, and is also highly portable. The rapid test is similar to that often employed to detect strep throat.
The test assay is an absorbent strip for a sample of the patient’s serum. The strip contains both a test line and a control line. Biofilm-specific antibodies present in the blood sample bind to the biofilm-specific proteins on the test strip. If the test shows a positive result, the patient has a biofilm staph infection.
Little training is required to interpret the results. These characteristics and simple techniques applied for the analysis make the test amenable to a wide variety of settings, including facilities with basic laboratory equipment.
Biofilm infections are often difficult to treat because the organisms innately resist antibiotic therapies. This is compounded by the fact that the immune response which encourages the body to fight infections is also minimized by the biofilm infections. According to the CDC, almost three quarters of infections from biofilm are the underlying cause of nosocomial infections.
Another potential use for the testing kit is to assess for the presence of bacterial biofilms on prototype devices that are being developed. It could then be appropriate for use by device and implant manufacturers.
The product has been patented, but the team has yet to sign with any organization for licensing, manufacture, and distribution.
September 27, 2007 Related topics: Laboratory, Laboratory Equipment, Diagnostic