Electrochemical biosensors as emerging alternatives to conventional detection of pathogens and antibiotic-resistance...

Antibiotic resistance among microorganisms has emerged as a critical global health threat, undermining the effectiveness of existing treatments and leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The rapid evolution and spread of resistant strains demand urgent development of efficient diagnostic and monitoring strategies. Conventional methods for detecting antimicrobial resistance, including microorganisms, antibiotic resistance genes, antibiotics, etc., while accurate, are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require specialized laboratory infrastructure. Moreover, delays in obtaining diagnostic results may lead to inappropriate antibiotic use, further exacerbating resistance. In recent years, electrochemical biosensors have gained attention as promising diagnostic tools for the rapid detection of antibiotic resistance. These devices enable direct detection of resistance mechanisms or serve as complementary tools to streamline microbial identification, offering faster results compared to conventional methods and requiring minimal instrumentation. Their adaptability, portability, and low cost make them attractive candidates for point-of-care applications, especially in resource-limited settings. The integration of specific biorecognition elements, including aptamers, DNA probes, antibodies, and bacteriophages, further enhances the sensitivity and selectivity of these biosensors. Overall, the application of electrochemical biosensing platforms holds significant potential to accelerate and simplify the identification of antimicrobial resistance, supporting timely clinical decision-making and contributing to global efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of recent advancements in electrochemical biosensors for pathogen identification and detecting antibiotic resistance, emphasizing their diagnostic value, current limitations, and future perspectives. The existing body of scientific literature reveals a significant gap in studies that systematically compare electrochemical biosensors with conventional techniques for the detection of antibiotic resistance, and this review aims to fill that gap.