Impact

The successful detection of S. aureus via two specific metabolites will become a powerful tool in the fight against the selection of antibiotic resistant S. aureus strains, with positive implications in the prevention and diagnosis of HAI. The electrochemical sensor will become an important alternative to the conventional methods for the detection of bacterial strains and will improve the protocols and therapy management. 

As a consequence, the delays in the diagnosis when broad spectrum antibiotics are the main choice are minimized and suitable therapy can be prescribed. This could not only improve the outcome of the disease, but it will help reduce the overall healthcare costs and more important it will prevent the resistance to antibiotics.

StarSens aims to offer insight regarding the levels of these markers and to correlate them with the evolution of the S. aureus infection. This proposal will have a positive impact both in the bioelectrochemistry field, as well as, in the PL experience, by enabling new research directions in the development of electrochemical sensors with bacteria as targets. 

Although ambitious, the available technology will allow the development of POU/POC sensing devices for simultaneous multiplexed detection of different bacterial strains, especially those involved in HAI. The project will also increase the awareness about the risks associated with HAI and the different tools in the fight against the antimicrobial resistant bacteria.