In ten minutes
US scientists are developing a genetic test that can detect the resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics
Researchers from an American University have developed a new highly sensitive genetic test that can determine whether a bacterium carries a gene that causes resistance to two common antibiotics used to treat sore throats and other respiratory diseases. The new method works just as accurately as traditional methods, but gives results much faster – in a matter of minutes. A message about this appeared on the EurekAlert portal! (AU researchers develop genetic test to detect antimicrobial resistance), the results of the study are published in the journal BMC Infectious Diseases (Nelson et al., Rapid molecular detection of macrolide resistance).
A new rapid test determines whether the human body contains bacteria that carry the Macrolide efflux gene A, or mef (A). It is this gene that causes resistance to two antibiotics: erythromycin and azithromycin. Azithromycin (also known as Zithromycin, or Z-Pak) is one of those antibiotics that are commonly used to treat sore throats.
The test is able to detect the gene within 10 minutes from the start of the analysis. Standard testing for antibiotics requires at least a night, and it is often not carried out during the diagnosis of the disease. According to the authors of the study, instead, doctors guess which antibiotic to prescribe based on past experience and recommendations, and patients should return in case of treatment failure.
"We have simplified the process of determining antimicrobial resistance so that the doctor can determine whether the patient will be resistant to the prescribed medication while the patient is still in the waiting room," added John R. Bracht, associate professor of biology at American University. "We think this is a turning point in the treatment of common diseases."
It is well known in the medical community that resistance to azithromycin and erythromycin is widespread in humans, but despite this, these antibiotics are still widely used in the treatment of pharyngitis and other respiratory diseases.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru