Scientists develop rapid blood test to diagnose sepsis

RESEARCHERS have developed a new rapid test for earlier diagnosis of sepsis, with results available in just two-and-a-half-minutes.

The test, developed by researchers at the University of Strathclyde, uses a biosensor device to analyse the patient’s blood.

Currently results for the condition from existing hospital tests can take up to 72 hours to process.

Researcher Dr Damion Corrigan, who helped develop the device, said it could save lives.

Dr Corrigan said: “With sepsis, the timing is key.

“For every hour that you delay the antibiotic treatment, the likelihood of death increases.

“At the moment the 72-hour blood test is a very labour intensive process.

“But the type of test we envisage could be at the bedside and involve doctors or nurses being able to monitor levels of sepsis biomarkers for themselves.

“If GP surgeries had access they could also do quick tests which could potentially save lives.”

He added: “It could also be available in A&E departments so that anyone coming in with a question mark could be quickly ruled in or out.

“I would hope the test could improve survival rates by ensuring people get treatment more quickly.

“It’s not just saving lives, a lot of people who survive sepsis suffer lifechanging effects, including limb loss, kidney failure and post-traumatic stress disorder.”

The device takes a pinprick of blood which is then put on the chip for the result to be read. Its needle shape means it can also be implanted and used on patients in intensive care.

Sepsis develops when the chemicals the immune system releases into the bloodstream to fight an infection instead cause inflammation throughout the entire body.

The infection causes the body’s immune system to attack the body’s own organs.

Without quick treatment, it can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

It can also be hard to diagnose sepsis as the illness can initially look like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection.

The UK Sepsis Trust estimates that around 52,000 people in the UK die every year and six million