Multiplexed Automated Digital Microscopy for Rapid Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Bacteria and Yeast Directly from Clinical Samples

Traditional methods for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of organisms from clinical samples typically require overnight subculturing to isolate individual species prior to phenotype-based identification (for example, biochemical testing), followed by growing isolated organisms in the presence of various antimicrobials to determine susceptibilities. Molecular and mass spectrometry identification methods can provide organism identification in a few hours directly from clinical samples, as well as resistance marker detection, but these methods do not provide the antimicrobial susceptibility information required by clinicians to inform treatment decisions. Multiplexed, automated digital microscopy is a fully automated method that can perform bacterial/yeast identification in 1 hour and AST in 5 hours directly from clinical samples, such as a positive blood culture or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.