Biochemical assays that can identify β-lactamase activity directly from patient samples have the potential to significantly improve the treatment of bacterial infections. However, current β-lactamase probes do not have the sensitivity needed to measure β-lactam resistance directly from patient samples. Here, we report the development of an instrument-free signal amplification technology, DETECT, that connects the activity of two enzymes in series to effectively amplify the activity of β-lactamase 40 000-fold, compared to the standard β-lactamase probe nitrocefin.
The rising incidence of resistance to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins among
Escherichia coli
strains, the most common cause of UTIs, is threatening our ability to successfully empirically treat these infections. ESCR
E. coli
strains are often MDR; therefore, UTI caused by these organisms often leads to treatment failure, increased length of hospital stay, and severe complications (D. G. Mark, Y.-Y. Hung, Z. Salim, N. J. Tarlton, et al., Ann Emerg Med 78:357–369, 2021,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.01.003
).
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