Lateral Flow Assay Device Detects Microorganisms in Biofilms

A new lateral flow assay device detects microorganisms in biofilms, which attach to inanimate substances such as catheters in humans, or to living tissue such as human heart valves or bone.

The biofilms act as a defense for microorganisms against the immune system and drugs, making it difficult for the body to fight an infection and for physicians to treat it.

Developed by a team of faculty members and students from Northern Arizona University (NAU; Flagstaff, AZ, USA) and the University of Maryland (College Park, MD, USA), the lateral flow assay identifies the presence of biofilm-specific antibodies in patients by allowing the antibodies to bind to biofilm-specific proteins on the device.

Biofilms cause more than 70% of community and hospital-acquired infections, such as staphylococcal infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA, USA). The cost associated with treating these infections in the United States is about US$5 billion per year, according to Jeff Leid, an associate professor in the department of biological sciences and associate director for NAU's Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics.

Biofilms are an important problem with implanted medical devices as well as in the establishment of chronic infections, Prof. Leid said. They are notoriously less susceptible to antibiotics than their single-cell, non-community orientated bacteria and are less susceptible to attack and killing from the human immune system. Prof. Leid explained that because of this, patients often suffer chronic and recurring infections. Without a specific way for physicians and healthcare workers to diagnose these infections, patient treatment may be delayed, he added.


Related Links:
Northern Arizona University
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
University of Maryland