Our Same-day Test for Antibiotic Resistance (STARTM) is being developed to rapidly determine the antibiotic resistance profile of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The technology is currently at the working prototype stage.
STARTM monitors bacterial metabolism in real time, by combining proprietary reporter chemistries with an automated optical monitoring system. It is able to assess the antibiotic resistance / sensitivity of a UTI in just a matter of hours – in contrast to the 48h+ turnaround time for conventional microbiology.
UTIs represent a major healthcare burden globally. In the UK alone, 5-million GP consultations per year are due to suspected urinary tract infections and the NHS spends over £400M p.a. caring for hospitalised UTI patients. UTIs can be distressing for younger patients and potentially life-threatening in the frail elderly.
