A novel inductively coupled capacitor wireless sensor system for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Diagnostics
• Microbiology

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, necessitating rapid diagnostic tools.
• Current phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) methods are time-consuming, delaying critical treatment decisions.
• Genotypic methods offer speed but lack phenotypic specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) method.
• To overcome limitations of existing AST techniques for timely clinical decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Designed a novel electrochemical biosensor utilizing magnetically coupled LC sensors.
• Engineered sensors for 96-well plate compatibility and remote signal analysis.
• Validated sensor performance by monitoring bacterial growth (E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa) with and without antibiotics.

Main Results:

• Achieved bacterial growth detection within 30 minutes, enabling rapid phenotypic AST.
• Successfully differentiated antibiotic susceptibility in bacterial strains, including resistant ones.
• Demonstrated sensor functionality in the presence of host proteins (2% FBS).

Conclusions:

• The developed label-free, 30-minute AST biosensor offers a significant advancement in rapid diagnostics.
• Its 96-well plate compatibility and potential for low-cost application facilitate integration into clinical workflows.
• This technology holds promise for improving patient outcomes in settings with emergent conditions like sepsis.