A groundbreaking diagnostic test developed by Sweden-based Sysmex Astrego can now detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) in just 15 minutes and determine the effective antibiotic within 45 minutes, eliminating the need to wait 48 hours for urine culture reports. This innovation, known as the PA-100 AST System, has won the £8 million (Rs 85 crore) Longitude Prize on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at an event in London’s Science Museum.
The PA-100 AST System uses a tiny urine sample (less than half a millilitre) on a smartphone-sized cartridge to accurately identify bacterial infections and determine the appropriate antibiotic. The test has a 90% accuracy rate, significantly higher than the 60% efficacy of the traditional urine dipstick method.
In the test, bacteria from the urine sample are trapped in microfluidic traps on a chip and exposed to five different antibiotics at varying concentrations. The cartridge is then inserted into an analyzer unit, where bacterial growth is monitored through imaging. Within 30 to 45 minutes, the test indicates which bacteria are “sensitive” or “resistant” to each antibiotic.
Dr. Abdul Ghafur, a jury member and consultant in infectious diseases at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, emphasized the significance of this point-of-care test. He highlighted that it is the first test capable of identifying both the bacteria and its antibiotic susceptibility in real-time, enabling rapid and precise antibiotic use. This approach can save lives, combat the superbug crisis, and prevent AMR.
Currently, the urine dipstick test does not assist doctors in selecting the correct antibiotic, often leading to empirical antibiotic prescriptions based on educated guesswork while waiting for culture results. This delay can result in the use of inappropriate antibiotics, contributing to the AMR crisis. In contrast, the PA-100 AST System provides immediate results, allowing for targeted antibiotic therapy.
As reported by The Indian Express, blind antibiotic prescriptions are a significant factor in the antibiotic resistance crisis, especially in countries like India. Rapid and accurate point-of-care tests like the PA-100 AST System can significantly impact the management of infections, particularly in sepsis patients where the infection often originates from the urinary tract. Dr. Ghafur noted that this technology could potentially revive the use of first-line antibiotics for many patients.