Rapid and Ultrasensitive Detection of Mutations and Genes Relevant to Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria

The worldwide emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Rapid and accurate diagnostic methods to detect antibiotic resistance are critical for antibiotic stewardship and infection control measurements. Here a cantilever nanosensor-based diagnostic assay is shown to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with antibiotic resistance in Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and positive (Enterococcus faecium) bacteria, representing frequent causes for MDR infections. Highly specific RNA capture probes for SNPs (ampR(D135G) or ampR(G154R)) or resistance genes (vanA, vanB, and vanD) allow to detect the binding of bacterial RNA within less than 5 min. Serial dilutions of bacterial RNA indicate an unprecedented sensitivity of 10 fg mu L-1 total RNA corresponding to less than ten bacterial cells for SNPs and 1 fg mu L-1 total RNA for vanD detection equivalent to single bacterial cell sensitivity.

Automated summary

The study presents a diagnostic assay based on cantilever nanosensors for rapid and accurate detection of antibiotic resistance in MDR bacteria. Highly specific RNA capture probes are used to detect SNPs and resistance genes in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with unprecedented sensitivity.