How electrochemical senors can detect and prevent infections early

Joaquín Castán, engineering researcher, AIMPLAS, explores electrochemical sensors for the early detection and prevention of nosocomial infections in the hospital environment.

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Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that are contracted by patients while receiving care in a health centre and were not present at the time they were admitted. These infections, which are caused by pathogens in the environment, lead to longer hospital stays and therefore imply additional costs to the health system.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most active pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections and accounts for 10.97% of cases. For that reason, health centres require solutions for the early detection and elimination of this bacterium.

In addition, the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is highly resistant, which means that conventional antibiotics are less likely to be effective.

Antimicrobial Resistance The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat bacterial infections without a specific diagnosis has contributed to AMR (antimicrobial resistance). This trend currently shows no signs of reversing, so most investments are focused on the development of new drugs to treat infections, while solutions based on the detection and eradication of these pathogens are being put on the back burner.

However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevention of nosocomial infections represents a priority and requires an integrated system to detect infectious agents and limit their transmission.

Preventing infection Diagnostic and action protocols currently used in hospitals for the prevention of nosocomial infections involve a combination of two techniques: firstly, ATP testing, which detects the presence but not the nature of pathogens; and, secondly, cell culture microscopy to identify pathogens, which takes an average of four to five days when performed monthly.

In light of this situation and given the need for an early detection system that is lightweight, flexible and easy to use for healthcare professionals, electrochemical sensor-based solutions are increasingly being employed in devices to convert chemical signals produced in biochemical reactions into easily measured electronic signals. This ensures greater responsiveness and precision in the detection and diagnosis process.

AIMPLAS has been working intensively on the development of printed, flexible electronic devices since 2015 and is currently working on the development of flexible electrochemical sensors, with a special focus on the health sector.

It has successfully produced a flexible electrochemical sensor that has the capacity to specifically detect Staphylococcus aureus and also obtains quantitative concentration data with detection ranges of 104 CFU/mL. These sensors therefore combine the capabilities of current detection protocols to quickly identify and quantify the target bacteria in a single step.

Although the concentrations detected are relevant to the hospital environment, there is a need for a complete solution to detect lower concentrations, with a complementary disinfection system that health professionals can use quickly and easily.

Introducing NOSOSENS Based on this line of research, AIMPLAS is coordinating the project NOSOSENS: Development of a System for the Early Detection and Prevention of Nosocomial Infections in the Hospital Environment in collaboration with the Fundación Investigación Hospital General Universitario Valencia (FIHGUV) and the companies Assesoria De Gestió I Comunicacions S.L., Quimica Deambla S.L. and José Crespo Ballester S.A.

The main goal of the NOSOSENS project is to design and implement a flexible, portable biosensor platform for the rapid and selective detection of pathogens in the S. Aureus family through the integration of printed electrochemical sensors. It will be tested in a hospital environment and will encompass full visibility, monitoring and alert management with rapid, reliable results. The project also involves researching and synthesising new nanomaterials to optimise its detection capacity and thus increase its sensitivity to detection levels close to 102 CFU/mL.

In addition, the project team is researching and formulating a new bio-based disinfectant aimed at eliminating pathogens in the hospital environment with a view to offering a comprehensive solution. Its synergy with the sensor platform will help optimise disinfection processes to enhance safety against healthcare-associated infections.

How is this the solution? This would give rise to a system for the detection of these families of pathogens in a rapid, sensitive and selective manner, thus providing a much-needed solution that would have a major impact in terms of reducing HAIs.

Flexible sensors have clear advantages in the healthcare and wellness sector, since their flexibility means they can be adapted to various fields and the different parts of the body where sensors are needed.

Thus, the knowledge generated will fill a key niche in the market, and AIMPLAS is planning new research and the development of sensors such as sweat-based glucose or lactic acid sensors, which constitute non-invasive, convenient solutions for use on the skin due to their flexibility.

The NOSOSENS research is being carried out as part of a three-year project that is due to end in 2026, with a consortium made up of AIMPLAS Plastics Technology Centre, Fundación Investigación Hospital General Universitario de Valencia (FIHGUV) and the companies Assesoria de Gestió i Comunicacions S.L., Quimica Deambla S.L. and José Crespo Ballester S.A., with funding from the Valencian Innovation Agency and an overall budget of €700,112.63.

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Fecha publicación: 07/08/2024

Fuente: Medical Plastics News

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How electrochemical senors can detect and prevent infections early

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