In a breakthrough development, researchers at Anna University, Chennai have created a device termed as Antibiogramoscope to tackle the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance. This research endeavor has received financial support from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The Antibiogramoscope and Its Function
The invention, Antibiogramoscope, is based on the development of a liquid Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing (AST) medium. To this medium, a readily available fluorescent molecule is added alongside the test sample which typically consists of body fluids. The concoction is then shifted to the Antibiogramoscope’s microwells that are coated with a distinct type of antibiotic.
In the event that bacteria grow in the medium, they generate a compound named erucamide. This compound forms a bond with the fluorescent molecule, subsequently blocking its fluorescence. Thus, if fluorescence is detected in some microwells, it signifies that those antibiotics are potent in eliminating the bacteria. Conversely, an absence of fluorescence indicates that the bacteria are continuing to multiply despite the presence of the antibiotic, indicating antibiotic resistance.
Advantages of Antibiogramoscope Over Traditional Methods
Antibiogramoscope boasts several advantages over conventional methods of identifying antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. For one, it identifies resistant strains much more swiftly, assisting doctors in prescribing the most effective drug, all while being cost-effective. In addition, unlike the existing method that uses a solid medium to cultivate bacteria, this new technique employs a liquid medium, yielding superior results. Lastly, the system is automated, requiring no human intervention once the samples and medium are loaded into the device.
Validation of Antibiogramoscope
The Antibiogramoscope has successfully passed validation tests at the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited microbiological lab.
| NABL | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Constituent Board of Quality Council of India | Provides accreditation schemes involving third-party assessment of technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories |
| Non-profit autonomous organization | Registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 with the objective of establishing a country-wide accreditation structure |
| Aims to spread quality movement | Undertakes National Quality Campaign to promote quality initiatives in India |
Parallel Developments in the Field
Notably, a separate yet significant development has also taken place in the field of combating bacterial resistance. Scientists at the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered a method to inhibit the proliferation of bacteria even before the formation of the cell wall starts.