Towards AMR testing using paper-based diagnostic sensors

Overuse of broad spectrum antimicrobial agent means that resistance to them can evolve rapidly in microbe populations, and hence when a broad spectrum treatment is really crucial, it is less effective at saving the patient. Furthermore, once the bacteria become resistant, it can then exacerbate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Current routine empirical antibiotic therapy protocol involves laboratory based bacterial culture testing which can take up to 2-3 days. As a result, the only option available to the clinician is the treatment of the patient using an empirical antibiotic prescription. Such treatments can either prove to be ineffective, or potentially worsen the patient’s condition.
However, if the specific microbe species causing an infection can be quickly identified earlier on, it will allow doctors to prescribe a specific targeted antimicrobial instead of using a broad spectrum antimicrobial. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt correct antibiotic treatment is important for clinical recovery and prevention of this serious antibiotic resistance. In this work, we will present our preliminary results on the use of a laser-based fabrication technique in the development of paper-based diagnostic tests which are analogues of the commonly available pregnancy 'dipstick' testing kits, and which will allow the timely detection of multiple pathogens at the point-of-care, either in the clinic or in the community. These paper-based diagnostic sensors fabricated via our laser-based technology are cheap, easy-to-use and allow rapid testing of either pathogens or their antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics.

Katis, Ioannis

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He, Peijun

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Sones, Collin

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Eason, Robert

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24 November 2016