Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses IZI-BBDevelopment of a fully integrated analyzer for rapid on-site detection of infections, in particular of multi-resistant pathogens
Infectious diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Transmission of these pathogens usually occurs from person to person. However, pathogenic microorganisms can also be transmitted from animals to humans. Many different factors contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. Bacterial infectious diseases are treated by the administration of antibiotics. The frequent and often poorly controlled use of antibiotics in clinics, medical practices and in animal fattening has led to the emergence of resistance and multiresistance in various bacterial strains worldwide. In particular, multi-resistance of Gram-negative enterobacteria (MRGN) is gaining increasing clinical importance, and is increasingly leading to life-threatening infections, as even so-called reserve antibiotics such as carbapenems often no longer help.
Rapid on-site diagnostic systems (point of care test, POCT) allow a quick diagnosis and thus allow immediate prevention through hygiene management measures. POCT thus improve the care situation of patients and reduce the workload of medical staff. Rapid on-site detection for pathogen typing and immediate detection of antibiotic resistance are urgently needed for targeted treatment and prevention of the spread of these germs.
With new technologies and knowledge of molecular biology, POCT systems for the determination of germs and resistance are being developed in this project. The potential uses of such an on-site measurement system go far beyond the direct clinical area and can also be applied in the care sector, veterinary medicine or food monitoring.
The system solution of on-site detection of microbes will also find application in other areas of life sciences such as environmental protection and biodiversity research, so that a broad market perspective for later commercialization is given.
