Identifying pathogens and determining the right antibiotic from a single blood sample within just a few hours could revolutionize medical diagnostics. This rapid approach, developed by researchers in Jena using laser light technology, offers a significant advantage over traditional methods that can take days. One of the most urgent and life-threatening conditions it could help address is sepsis, where every hour of delayed treatment can drastically increase the risk of death. By enabling swift and precise diagnosis, this breakthrough could save countless lives and improve outcomes for patients facing critical infections. Previously, identifying pathogens and determining the right antibiotic from a single blood sample could take days, with traditional methods relying on lengthy culture processes. This delay often meant that patients, especially those with conditions like sepsis, received treatment too late, reducing their chances of survival and recovery.
“Identifying pathogens and choosing the right antibiotic from a single blood sample revolutionizes infection treatment, saving precious time and lives.”
Bettina Loffler, head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at Jena University Hospital, has seen firsthand how swiftly an infection can escalate into life-threatening sepsis. Early symptoms like fever, chills, and dangerously low blood pressure signal the onset, as the immune system spirals out of control, attacking not only the pathogens but also the body’s own tissues and organs. When a suspected infection is detected, blood is immediately drawn from the patient and rushed to the hospital’s S2 safety laboratory, where it is placed in a blood culture cabinet for incubation. In sepsis, speed is critical—each passing hour reduces the patient’s already low 40 percent survival rate by several percentage points. But once the blood has arrived in the incubator, the first thing to do is wait. A long wait. “The incubation alone takes up to 24 hours,” says Löffler – white coat, serious expression, his hair tied back in a quick braid. “Especially in intensive care, that’s a long time before we can even say: What kind of bacteria are these? Let alone know which resistances to consider, i.e. which antibiotic is effective against them.” To do this, the germs are isolated, spread on nutrient plates, multiplied again, identified using a mass spectrometer, and then treated with various antibiotics. The process takes a total of two to three days. Until then, a broad-spectrum antibiotic must keep the bacteria in check.
An optical method could dramatically reduce this time. It takes just two to three and a half hours to analyze bacteria and find the right antibiotic. Combined with a shorter incubation time for the blood sample, which would likely be sufficient for the new method, doctors would have to wait less than half a day to administer the appropriate, sometimes life-saving, antibiotic. Identifying pathogens and determining the right antibiotic from a single blood sample is crucial because it enables rapid, precise treatment, especially in life-threatening situations like sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection goes awry, triggering widespread inflammation. This can lead to organ failure, tissue damage, and, if untreated, death. The condition typically begins with an infection that spreads throughout the body, causing the immune system to overreact and release chemicals that damage organs. Early signs of sepsis include fever, chills, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure. As the condition progresses, it can cause confusion, difficulty breathing, and organ failure. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with the correct antibiotics are critical, as each hour of delay significantly reduces the chances of survival. Early intervention can greatly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of permanent damage or death.
Quick identification allows doctors to administer the most effective antibiotic early, which can significantly improve patient outcomes. Traditional methods often take too long, and delays in treatment can lead to complications, prolonged illness, or even death. Faster diagnostics reduce the time spent on ineffective treatments, prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, and save valuable time in critical care settings, ultimately improving survival rates.
