Microbiological culture is mainly used in the laboratory of hospitals to identify pathogens responsible of infections. When a pathogen is identified, analyzes are carried out to determine whether it is sensitive or resistant to antibiotics usually used. These analyzes requires a lot of time, and while waiting for the results, physicians are obliged to use powerful antibiotics in order to cover the majority of pathogens. However, the use of these powerful antibiotics promotes the emergence of antibiotic resistance. We propose DNA sequencing to directly identify pathogens in the blood, and to establish their antibiotic resistance profile. This technology will bypass the laboratory culture step in order to accelerate the diagnosis of microbial infections. By providing physicians more quickly information regarding the identity and the antibiotic resistance profile of pathogens, patients can receive an adequate treatment by using the appropriate antibiotic that will accelerate their recovery treatment. The use of less potent but adequate targeted antibiotic against pathogens reduces the risks of antibiotic resistance.
User: Simon Lévesque (CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS)