Electrical Method for the Rapid Detection of Viable Bacteria in Suspensions
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The core technology is an electrical method that can detect the presence of viable bacteria present at low concentration (< 100/ml) in various suspension 4-10 times faster than currently possible. Although this can be used for multiple applications (water and food quality testing, diagnosis of various human and animal diseases), we plan to focus on rapidly detecting septicemia (bacterial infection of blood). Sepsis, the systemic response to such infection, causes over 200,000 deaths each year in the US (more than lung and breast cancer combined). Quick identification of the pathogen and timely administration of a targeted antibiotic is key to better outcomes. But because of the low numbers of bacteria typically present (1-10/ml of blood), they must be "cultured", and their presence confirmed. Using current technologies, blood cultures take 12-120 hrs (1-5 days). Our instrument will reduce the time taken to 2 - 24 hours. Benefits include better outcomes for patients, significant cost savings, and reduced fostering of antibiotic resistance. Potential Areas of Applications: Diagnosis of Septicemia/Sepsis ; Diagnosis of other bacterial/mycobacterial diseases in humans & animals ; Food Quality Monitoring ; Water Quality Testing. Patent Status: Patent Pending. Inventor(s): Shramik Sengupta, Sachidevi Puttaswamy, Hsueh-Chia Chang