Rapid-readout bacteria test can detect antibiotic resistance

According to EPFL, a nano-lever vibrates in the presence of bacterial activity, while a laser reads the vibration and translates it into an electrical signal that can be read easily, with the absence of a signal signifying the absence of bacteria. Thanks to this method, it is quick and easy to determine if a bacteria has been effectively treated by an antibiotic, a crucial medical tool especially for resistant strains. The research is published in Nature Nanotechnology.

‘This method is fast and accurate. And it can be a precious tool for both doctors looking for the right dosage of antibiotics and for researchers to determine which treatments are the most effective,’ said researcher Prof Giovanni Dietler in a statement.

It currently takes a long time to measure a bacterial infection’s response to antibiotic treatment as clinicians must culture the bacteria and then observe its growth to determine if the treatment has been effective.