Utilizing Paper‐Based Devices for Antimicrobial‐Resistant Bacteria Detection

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the ability of a bacterial species to resist the action of an antimicrobial drug, has been on the rise due to the widespread use of antimicrobial agents. Per the World Health Organization, AMR has an estimated annual cost of USD 34 billion in the US and is predicted to be the number one cause of death worldwide by 2050. One way AMR bacteria can spread, and by which individuals can contract AMR infections, is through contaminated water. Monitoring AMR bacteria in the environment currently requires that samples be transported to a central laboratory for slow and labor intensive tests. We have developed an inexpensive assay using paper‐based analytical devices (PADs) that can test for the presence of β‐lactamase‐mediated resistance. To demonstrate viability, the PAD was used to detect β‐lactam resistance in wastewater and sewage and identified resistance in individual bacterial species isolated from environmental water sources.

Antibacterial Hydrogels

“…With the development of public hygiene and biomedical technology, many infections have been effectively suppressed or even conquered, and the quality of life for human beings has been significantly improved. However, a serious issue that still remains is that the use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug resistant microorganisms, which are very difficult to combat . This has led to over 13 million people dying per year from infectious diseases worldwide .…”

Quantitative E. coli Enzyme Detection in Reporter Hydrogel-Coated Paper Using a Smartphone Camera

“…Optical biosensors that rely on the detection of absorbed ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) light [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 24 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ] possess usually lower sensitivity than those based on fluorescence [ 13 , 16 , 18 , 19 ]. This is also true for UV–Vis detection of indigo derivatives [ 14 , 17 , 39 ].…”

“…Without an additional cultivation step of E. coli but extra centrifugation and bacteria lysis steps, an LOD of ~10 7 CFU/mL was found by colorimetric analysis with a commercial scanner or bare eye visual detection. A paper-based colorimetric β-lactamase biosensor that relies on the cleavage of nitrocefin showed a LOD of 3.8 × 10 6 CFU/mL for E. coli , employing an absorption spectrophothometer [ 41 ]. While smartphone detection by absorption of 4-nitrophenol on paper exhibited low values of the LOD of 2, 13 and 100 nM for β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase and β-Gus, respectively, the triggering bacteria Enterococcus faecalis was found only at a high concentration of 1 × 10 9 CFU/mL without pre-enrichment via culturing [ 42 ].…”

Erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged nanoworms with on-demand antibiotic release for eradicating biofilms using near-infrared irradiation

“…In the past few decades, the emergence of antibiotics has enabled the effective treatment of bacterial infections [ 3 ]. However, antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been increasing due to the abuse of antibiotics [ 4 ]. In addition, the formation of biofilms hinders the penetration of antibiotics and inactivates them, thereby further increasing the resistance of bacteria [ 5 , 6 ].…”