MRSA Rapid Test: multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Multi-resistant pathogens such as MRSA (multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) are becoming a growing problem for hospitals and doctors’ surgeries. The resistant bacteria can spread quickly and pose a serious health risk to individuals who are already in a weakened state. However, MRSA (multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) tests are currently only carried out on suspected patients since the methods are either very time-consuming (microbiological culture detection) or very cost-intensive (molecular biological or antibody-based detection).

A research team at Fraunhofer EMFT collaborated with Asklepios Kliniken GmbH and the SME KETEK GmbH to develop a low-cost MRSA Rapid Test which is to be used for routine admission checks at hospitals or doctors’ surgeries. The innovative test for detecting resistant bacteria was set up as a comprehensive system for on-site analytics on a lab scale. A study was conducted to test the procedure in a hospital environment and it has been continuously adapted to real-life conditions.

The early detection of an MRSA infection or colonization and application of the relevant treatment will significantly reduce the risk of transmission of the pathogens to other patients. The rapid test simply requires a nose smear to be taken from the patient. Whether or not MRSA is contained in the sample can be established quickly by using fluorescence indicators with a highly sensitive detection system.

• Aspklepios Kliniken GmbH
• KETEK GmbH 

The project was funded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology as part of the Microsystems Engineering Bavaria program.