Real-Time Respiration Changes as a Viability Indicator for Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing in a Microfluidic...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Microfluidics
• Diagnostic Microbiology

Background:

• Rapid identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) are crucial for managing bacterial infections.
• Microfluidic technologies enable precise handling of small sample volumes and single-cell analysis.
• Downscaled cultivation systems reduce bacterial requirements and shorten time to result for AST.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a microfluidic platform for rapid AST.
• To enable pathogen resistance profiling within hours.
• To reduce the time and sample volume needed for AST.

Main Methods:

• A microfluidic platform with hundreds of growth chambers containing oxygen-sensing nanoprobes and various antibiotic concentrations was developed.
• The platform measures changes in dissolved oxygen levels during bacterial cultivation to determine resistance.
• Performance was validated using quality control *Escherichia coli* strains and a clinical isolate.

Main Results:

• The platform achieved pathogen resistance profiles within 2-3 hours.
• Results for quality control strains aligned with established guidelines and independent AST protocols.
• Successful AST was demonstrated for a clinical *E. coli* isolate from a blood culture.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic platform offers a rapid and efficient method for antibiotic susceptibility testing.
• This technology has the potential to significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections.
• The platform's ability to provide timely resistance data can aid in clinical decision-making.