Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Design and Use of a Low Cost, Automated Morbidostat for Adaptive Evolution of Bacteria Under Antibiotic Drug Selection
Published on: September 27, 2016
Improving Meropenem Quantification in a Compact SERS-Based Centrifugal Microfluidic Platform: Toward TDM of
Martyna A Pytlarz1, Gohar Soufi1, Isidro Badillo-Ramírez1
1Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Kongens 2800, Denmark.
Abstract:
Infections are the leading causes of death, especially in intensive care units (ICUs), necessitating immediate and optimal antibiotic treatment with proper monitoring of the drug dosage. Present analytical techniques measuring antibiotic levels result in a long lag time for dose adjustments. Therefore, introducing versatile techniques that quickly quantify antibiotic levels in a patient's blood is essential. We developed a novel approach to advance the automation of label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in a centrifugal microfluidic setting (D-SERS device) to improve the quantification of meropenem (MER) in serum samples. The D-SERS device consists of a microfluidic disc cartridge, a spin motor, and an integrated Raman spectrometer module. In our assay method, we implemented a serum cleanup step, employing a monospin solid-phase extraction (ms-SPE) column, which was coupled with the D-SERS device. The MER label-free detection was performed on-disc by SERS scanning of a Ag nanopillar substrate integrated into the disc cartridge. We identified that coupling ms-SPE to the D-SERS device led to significant improvement in a signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity. Chemometrics algorithms, such as partial least squares regression (PLSR), were implemented on a large data set for SERS analysis, allowing LoD and LoQ values of 12.12 and 36.37 μM, respectively. We compared the performance of our D-SERS device to that of a commercial Raman system, demonstrating its efficiency and reliability. Moreover, the D-SERS device was validated against HPLC employing samples from ICU patients, showing a good correlation (R2 = 0.8, p < 0.05) with a bias of 14.3 μM overestimation. The whole D-SERS system is compact and easy to operate, and results are obtained within 15-20 min, supporting its clinical feasibility for point-of-care therapeutic drug monitoring of antibiotics.
Insights
This study introduces a rapid, automated D-SERS device for measuring meropenem (MER) in patient serum. The novel system provides quick and reliable antibiotic drug monitoring, crucial for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Infections are a leading cause of death, particularly in ICUs, requiring precise antibiotic dosing and monitoring.
- Current methods for measuring antibiotic levels in patients have long lag times, delaying necessary dose adjustments.
- Rapid quantification of antibiotic levels is essential for effective patient treatment and improved outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel, automated centrifugal microfluidic device utilizing label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for meropenem (MER) quantification in serum.
- To enhance the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio of MER detection through the integration of a solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup step.
- To assess the clinical feasibility and performance of the developed D-SERS device for point-of-care therapeutic drug monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Development of a D-SERS device integrating a microfluidic disc, spin motor, and Raman spectrometer.
- Implementation of a serum cleanup step using a monospin solid-phase extraction (ms-SPE) column coupled to the D-SERS device.
- Label-free MER detection via SERS scanning on an integrated silver nanopillar substrate, analyzed using chemometrics (PLSR).
Main Results:
- The integrated ms-SPE and D-SERS system significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity for MER detection.
- Achieved limits of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ) of 12.12 μM and 36.37 μM, respectively, using PLSR analysis.
- The D-SERS device demonstrated good correlation (R² = 0.8, p < 0.05) with HPLC in ICU patient samples, with a bias of 14.3 μM overestimation.
Conclusions:
- The D-SERS device offers a compact, user-friendly, and rapid method for antibiotic therapeutic drug monitoring.
- Results obtained within 15-20 minutes support the clinical feasibility of the D-SERS system for point-of-care applications.
- This automated SERS-based approach facilitates timely antibiotic dose adjustments, potentially improving patient outcomes in critical care settings.
More Related Videos
11:17Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
12:03Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method
Published on: April 18, 2019
