Share:
Quick test can quickly distinguish viral and bacterial infections
We need to look for new ways to avoid the overuse of antibiotics. Researchers have now found that a cheap blood test can tell if an infection is caused by a virus or a bacterium. This would prevent unauthorized prescriptions of antibiotics. These drugs are useless in the treatment of viral infections.
Scientists from the acclaimed Stanford University School of Medicine in California found in a study that they can find out by a simple blood test, whether humans suffer from a bacterial or viral infection. Thus, the unjustified use of antibiotics can be avoided. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Science Translational Medicine".
The fear of resistant bacterial strains is growing. A new simple blood test could now help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. (Image: Guido Grochowski / fotolia.com) So far, there has often been confusion about the nature of the infection
For a long time, physicians could not immediately tell what kind of infection they had, explains lead author Timothy Sweeney of Stanford University. When people are admitted to a clinic, it is often not possible to determine exactly whether patients may be suffering from a viral or bacterial infection.
New test identifies the activity of seven human genes
The new test - which is not yet on the market - identifies seven human genes. Their activity changes during an infection and their so-called activity pattern can then be used to determine whether an infection is viral or bacterial, say the doctors. Many methods of diagnosis are trying to find bacteria in our bloodstream, but most infected people have no bloodstream infections. That's why such tests are not really helpful, says Sweeney.
Blood tests could reduce the spread of resistant bacterial strains
Scientists are always discovering new ways to detect dangerous diseases with simple blood tests. For example, experts have already found that a simple blood test could predict heart attacks. But are there any blood tests that can help us prevent the spread of resistant bacterial strains? The new test should be able to detect an infection anywhere in the body because it evaluates our immune system. The new method is significantly better at eliminating bacterial infections, say the authors. The idea of developing such a test came about after research had shown that our immune system shows a common response to multiple viruses. This differs from the response to bacterial infections, says Professor Purvesh Khatri of Stanford University.
New blood test must necessarily be inexpensive
If further research shows that the new test works well and is cost-effective, this test could help prevent future increases in antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. Often, antibiotics are prescribed to patients because the medications are cheap. If our new test is really going to change anything, it has to be cheaper than the drug itself, Professor Khatri explains.
Every third antibiotic prescription in the US is superfluous
The fear of resistant bacterial strains continues to increase. So far, about two million diseases and 23,000 deaths per year in the United States due to resistant bacteria, explain the experts. One reason is the often pointless prescriptions of antibiotics. In US medical facilities, about every third antibiotic prescription is unnecessary, scientists estimate.
Further investigation is needed before the new test comes on the market
The new test will have to undergo further studies in a clinical setting, as most of the studies to date focus on existing online digital gene expression data sets in different patients, the authors explain. Before the test can come on the market, it must also be installed in a device that is able to evaluate and display the test results within one hour. It is estimated that a commercial version of the clinical trial will be available in about 18 to 24 months, says Sweeny. (As)