Researchers from the cities of Munster and Hamburg in Germany have developed software capable of analyzing blood test samples and experimental blood smears taken from wounds to identify the resistant traits of pathogens. This system provides faster recognition of the origins of pathogens and their spread within hospitals.
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| Professor Dag Harmsen (right) in the laboratory |
According to the researchers, antibiotic-resistant pathogens, such as the bacterium “Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)“, are particularly dangerous as they can transmit resistance to other bacteria, which are responsible for conditions such as pneumonia, wound infections, and sepsis…
Professor Dag Harmsen, an expert in microbiology, emphasized that this alert system is not designed to confirm the presence of pathogens but to quickly identify the risk of transmission for patients undergoing treatment in hospitals. In addition to analyzing pathogens, this software provides data relating to previous cases.
By enabling early and accurate identification of threatening pathogens, the system can prevent the need to close the entire hospital.
Furthermore, if the software identifies these as potentially dangerous pathogens that frequently occur and could spread throughout the hospital, experts will receive an “alert” signal to respond promptly.
In Germany, in recent years, the number of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in hospitals has increased from 3% to 25%. Meanwhile, in Nordic countries and the Netherlands, thanks to impeccable hygiene conditions and effective classification of dangerous pathogens, this rate remains at 3%.
