Early Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Increases Survival Chances

A technique has been developed for the early detection of superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which particularly infects patients with cystic fibrosis.

In the new diagnostic method, a non-colored compound reacts with an enzyme present in the bacteria and produces a very distinctive purple color. The technique works on 99% of the strains P. aeruginosa.

The bacteria infect the fluid in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients and also attack patients with localized and systemic immune defects, such as those suffering from burns, patients with AIDS, and cancer. P. aeruginosa accounts for 10% of all nosocomial infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (CDC; Atlanta, GA, USA).

The infections are difficult to treat because the bacteria are tolerant to many detergents, disinfectants, and antimicrobial compounds. They are especially difficult to control in hospitals and institutional environments and therefore hospital staff needs to diagnose the cause of the infections very quickly.

Researchers from the University of Sunderland (UK), the North Umbria University (Newcastle, UK), and bioMérieux, France
(Marcy l'Etoile) developed the technique that can identify Pseudomonas within 24-48 hours of infection, greatly increasing the patient's chances of survival.


Related Links:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States
University of Sunderland
bioMérieux