IIT Guwahati Develops Device for Fast Detection of Urinary Tract Infection

The researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a 3D printed cost-effective device to detect specific bacteria that causes urinary tract infection (UTI).

It is a fast, accurate, and reliable device that can measure and identify the type of bacteria in a UTI suspected patient, the institute said in a statement.  

The estimated cost of manufacturing this device is ₹ 608, while testing a single sample will cost ₹ 8 only, it said

The institute said it is cost-effective and can also be used by people in rural areas, where most UTI cases remain undetected due to lack of adequate testing facilities.

This device can measure and identify the type of bacteria in a UTI suspected patient in 5 minutes while other testing devises use urine culture that requires a few days.

While explaining the significance of their Research, Dr Partho Sarathi Gooh Pattader, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati said, "Early-stage detection of UTI is important to provide timely treatment. The Point-Of-Care Testing (POCT) prototype developed at IIT Guwahati is a photodetector that detects and quantifies a specific UTI-causing bacteria called 'Klebsiella pneumoniae' within five minutes from a patient's urine sample."

He said the detection of 'Klebsiella pneumoniae' is important not only because this bacteria is responsible for UTI, but also for pneumonia and for the infection of soft tissue.

Post a comment Elaborating on the mechanism, Dr Pattader said, "We have used gold nanoparticles with specifically-engineered aptamers. An aptamer is like a 3D puzzle piece that fits only on the surface of a particular bacteria. The gold nanoparticles thus get agglomerated on the surface of the target bacteria giving out a unique signature that can be detected by a UV- Visible Spectrophotometer."  

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PRESS RELEASE: DCN Dx & BIOASTER Announce Collaboration for Development of Multiplex Rapid Diagnostic for Neglected Tropical Diseases

DCN Dx, a global leader in the end-to-end development, manufacturing, and commercialization of point-of-use tests, and BIOASTER, the French Technology Research Institute focusing on microbiology and infectious diseases, announced a collaboration as part of a second grant to BIOASTER for onchocerciasis diagnosis from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, stands as the second leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 25 million people are infected globally, with another 90 million at risk. Over 99% of these cases occur in Africa, and vision loss affects around 1.15 million individuals.

This project follows a first grant awarded to BIOASTER in 2019. The main goal is to enhance the specificity of the Ov16-rapid test, especially in relation to Loa loa and Mansonella perstans helminths, to achieve the 99.8% specificity as recommended by the WHO Diagnostic Technical Advisory Group (DTAG). This test would support onchocerciasis elimination and evaluation of preventive chemotherapy programs.

In partnership with the Laboratory of Parasitic Disease (NIAID) and DCN Dx, BIOASTER aims to develop an advanced multiplex lateral flow assay for detecting Onchocerca volvulus antibodies in human blood. This diagnostic tool will incorporate a combination of innovative and complementary O. volvulus antigens. The selection and evaluation of these antigens will take place at BIOASTER.

The diagnostic performance of the test will be assessed using onchocerciasis specimens and other parasitic helminths collected in the field and characterized under the supervision of Pr. Joseph KAMGNO at the Higher Institute of Scientific and Medical Research in Yaoundé (ISM), Cameroon (www.ismcm.org).

Xavier Morge (CEO, BIOASTER) noted, “We are proud that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has continued its support as we aim to improve onchocerciasis diagnosis in the coming years.”

“This new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a great example of BIOASTER's commitment to accelerate the development of a lateral flow test with high specificity for the diagnosis of onchocerciasis,” said Cyril GUYARD (CSO, BIOASTER).

Patrick Vaughan (COO, DCN Dx) expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to partner with BIOASTER's scientific team to transform their key O. volvulus antigen research into a user-friendly and highly specific lateral flow test to advance onchocerciasis diagnosis.”

“DCN Dx’s core purpose extends beyond the technicalities of diagnostics," Mitzi Rettinger (Chief Revenue Officer, DCN Dx) explained. "We're striving to make a real difference in global health, and our partnership with BIOASTER on this vital project exemplifies that mission. By accelerating the development of a cutting-edge multiplex rapid test for African river blindness, we're making a tangible contribution to a world with less suffering from this devastating disease."

About BIOASTER

Created in 2012, following the French initiative of Technology Research Institutes, BIOASTER is a not-for-profit foundation developing a unique technological and innovative model to sup-port the latest challenges in microbiology. In particular, BIOASTER uses and develops high value technological innovations that accelerate development of medical solutions for populations and personalized medicine. The aim of BIOASTER is to bring together academic, industry and its capacities and specific knowledge to develop and execute high impact collaborative projects requiring industry compatible innovative technologies.

About DCN Dx

DCN Dx, based in Carlsbad, California, is a global leader in IVD CDMO and CRO services. Our multidisciplinary team specializes in creating tailored assay systems, consumables, and instruments for point-of-use applications, with a particular expertise in lateral flow assays.

Our personalized approach to IVD product development has supported more than 560 programs from over 260 clients. We can oversee every stage from concept to assay development and platform integration, through clinical trials to manufacturing or only handle the aspects you request. In addition to lateral flow assays, our clinical research expertise extends to a wide range of IVD devices, all with a focus on innovation, usability, and performance.

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PRESS RELEASE: Charles River Introduces Animal-Free Endotoxin Testing with a Recombinant Cascade Reagent (rCR)

For decades, the biopharmaceutical industry has trusted us to listen and react to the unique manufacturing challenges parenteral manufacturers face bringing products to market.

With insights and product feedback fueled by the industry, our optimized Endosafe® bacterial endotoxin testing solutions continue to make mandatory safety testing faster, easier, and more reliable. As we navigate the intricate relationship between nature, science, and human health, we recognize the importance of reducing our impact on the environment and embracing ethical practices in pharmaceutical, vaccine, and medical device development.

As a result of our commitment to innovation, the 3Rs, and sustainability, we’ve refined the next addition of our Endosafe bacterial endotoxin detection portfolio by introducing Endosafe Trillium, a robust recombinant cascade reagent (rCR) assay designed for sustainable progress.

Trillium detects and quantifies natural environmental endotoxins as well as endotoxin standards (RSE & CSE) by simulating the natural LAL enzymatic cascade through an optimized formulation and composition of three critical recombinant proteins (Recombinant Factor C, Recombinant Factor B, and Recombinant pro-clotting enzyme). This proprietary matrix demonstrates assay superiority in accuracy, comparability, and robustness compared to other recombinant endotoxin detection technologies, and has been proven to ensure its equivalency to LAL.

In addition to being 100% animal-free, Endosafe Trillium rCR offers a host of benefits that will transform your endotoxin testing program. 

· A kinetic chromogenic method, it is compatible with existing incubating absorbance plate readers.

· 3-Factor enzymatic cascade simulates the same cascade reaction as traditional LAL.

· Eliminates the potential for 1,3-β-D-glucans, reducing the risk of false positives.

· Quantitative range: 0.001 to 100EU/mL

· Primary validation package includes protocols, summary report, and implementation support.

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