Progress in antibiotic susceptibility tests: a comparative review with special emphasis on microfluidic methods

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global public health threat.
• Directed therapy guided by accurate antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) is essential for effective resistance control.
• Conventional AST methods face limitations in speed and accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the progress and limitations of conventional, molecular, and automated AST tools.
• To critically examine various microfluidic AST methods, including optical, electrochemical, colorimetric, and mechanical approaches.
• To identify future requirements for microfluidic devices in AST.

Main Methods:

• Review of conventional, molecular, and automated AST technologies.
• Critical analysis of diverse microfluidic AST techniques (optical, electrochemical, colorimetric, mechanical).
• Assessment of future needs for microfluidic AST device development.

Main Results:

• Conventional, molecular, and automated AST tools have inherent limitations.
• Microfluidic AST methods demonstrate diverse principles and potential.
• Future microfluidic AST devices require specific advancements for optimal performance.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidics represents a promising future for AST, offering significant advantages.
• Microtechnologies in AST are particularly beneficial for point-of-care testing.
• Advancements in microfluidic AST can expand and improve current diagnostic techniques.