The gadget that makes germs glow in the dark

LONDON: A hand-held scanner that makes germs glow could help cut the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

The gadget – being tested for use in Britain – allows doctors to “see” harmful bacteria in and around wounds and kill them before infection sets in – and if there is an infection, to treat it more effectively.

The device – MolecuLight i:X – can be used to improve the care of chronic wounds such as foot ulcers and bed sores.

The key issue is that bacteria are invisible to the naked eye. Infection is only detected if there are obvious symptoms, or after a swab is taken and sent to a lab for testing. But swabbing is an inexact procedure, and areas where bacteria lurk can be missed.

The portable scanner means doctors get on-the-spot results showing where the bacteria are within the wound, even when there are no infection symptoms. This allows doctors to take more accurate swabs for analysis so the lab can determine all types of bacteria in the wound. By doing so before an infection becomes serious, doctors can treat it more effectively.

It may mean the patient won’t need antibiotics. Wounds that are scanned also heal quicker because doctors can identify and destroy the germs that slow down the process of skin repair because bacteria can create a physical barrier to wound closure.

The device is positioned about 10cm from the chosen area. When the light is switched on, it activates molecules in bacteria called fluorophores which give off a coloured glow in response. Harmful bacteria show up as red, while healthy skin appears green on a screen. – Daily Mail