High-Throughput AST System Uses Microchip Technology to Rapidly Analyze Bacterial Samples

Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, with resistance levels ranging from 20% to 98%, and these levels are unpredictable. Currently, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) takes 48 to 72 hours, which delays treatment and results in patients deteriorating while waiting for the correct medication. Prescribing the wrong antibiotics not only worsens the situation but also contributes to the spread of resistant infections, sepsis, and death. In fact, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was responsible for over 1 million deaths in 2019, surpassing deaths caused by malaria or AIDS. Now, a new system could significantly speed up AST in hospital labs, improving throughput and reducing labor, all while maintaining workflow efficiency.

iFAST Diagnostics (London, UK) is developing an advanced AST system that utilizes microchip technology to analyze bacterial samples rapidly and accurately. The system works by electrically analyzing thousands of bacteria on a microchip, providing both qualitative and quantitative results with remarkable speed. The process starts with extracting bacteria from a sample and exposing them to a range of antibiotics. After a two-hour incubation, the iFAST reader scans 5,000 individual bacteria, analyzing each sample in under a minute. Based on this analysis, the reader identifies the most effective antibiotic for the clinician to prescribe. The iFAST reader can perform over 25 tests a day, with a cost of GBP 20 per patient, which is more affordable compared to current gold standard methods.

This breakthrough in AST technology from iFAST can deliver results in under three hours for blood samples and four hours for raw urine samples—much faster than the standard 48 to 72 hours. This faster turnaround time allows doctors to begin administering the most effective antibiotic treatment earlier, potentially saving lives in critical situations like sepsis or drug-resistant infections. With antimicrobial resistance being a significant global health challenge, iFAST’s AST platform could have a profound impact on patient care and health outcomes worldwide. Research systems are already available, and UK regulatory approval is expected by the second quarter of 2025.

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