New Test Helps Stop Superbugs

Oct-07-17 A new technique from CalTech University can identify antibiotic bacteria in minutes, helping reduce the spread of superbugs.

One of the main contributors to the creation of “superbugs” is over-prescription of medication. Currently, most doctors will jump directly to the stronger antibiotic options, ignoring the weaker, first line drugs that bacteria may already be resistant to. However, this is leading to even more resistant bacteria, as well as a shortage of medications.

To offer a better solution, the team from CalTech developed a new test to identify the bacteria causing the patient’s infection. That test, which uses a device known as a SlipChip, takes only 30 minutes compared to the previous three days, and can be performed during the patient visit. This allows the doctor to pinpoint the source of the infection and prescribe the proper antibiotic, saving the more powerful second-line medications when possible.

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[NEWATLAS.COM]
[CALTECH.EDU]

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