Nottingham University develops at home diagnostic kits for people with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects around 11,000 people in the UK, and over 160,000 globally. One of the most significant bugs that causes infections in people with cystic fibrosis is Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a.), a bacterium that is present everywhere but rarely has negative effects on people with healthy lungs.

For people with cystic fibrosis this bacterium can be deadly, and it is the leading cause of decline in lung health, compromising people’s quality of life.

Researchers said there is a pressing need for a straightforward, precise and non-invasive diagnostic approach to identify P.a. during initial pulmonary infections, allowing for quicker and more straight-forward medical intervention.

MiDx has pinpointed biomarkers unique to P.a., aiming to use them for the creation of an uncomplicated, cost-effective, and precise Point of Care diagnostic test for early detection of this pathogen.

In a statement, Dr Shaun N Robertson from the school of life sciences, Nottingham University, said: “Through our research, we have developed clinically validated unique biomarkers of P.a. infection, patented their use and generated antibodies against them with high sensitivity and excellent specificity. This has enabled us to develop a lateral flow test which people with cystic fibrosis will be able to perform themselves at home.