High throughput pipeline for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing and ID of bacteria from blood cultures

Abstract: Rapid and accurate species identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing are of great importance for patients with sepsis and to stop over- and misuse of antibiotics contributing to antibiotic resistance. QuickMIC™ is a rapid antibiotic susceptibility testig system based on a microfluidic technology solution developed by Gradientech that measure MICs on bacteria from positive blood culture bottles. By combining QuickMIC™ with a rapid system for detection and identification, the time to detection, identification and antibiotic susceptibiolity testing could be shortened with days compared to pipelines used today which could mean the difference of life and death for patients. The T2Bacteria® panel and T2Dx® instrument developed by T2 biosystems is an FDA-cleared test for rapid detection and identification of bacteria from whole blood based on magnetic molecular resonance technology. The time to result of the T2Dx® instrument is 3-4 hours and the time to result for QuickMIC™ is 2-4 hours. In this project, the possibilities and benefits of such a pipeline have been studied by comparison to a pipeline typically used today. Time, accuracy and practical aspects have been investigated during the project and the results are promising for future further studies.