“Scientists have developed a rapid DNA sequencing system to stem the rise of superbugs by identifying bacterial infections faster and more accurately.

Currently, hospital labs can take as long as seven days to specify bacterial infections, while for some infections a definitive diagnosis may take eight weeks.

In the meantime, doctors may have to give patients broad-spectrum antibiotics, which carry risks of side-effects and complications, may fail and prolong the illness, and can lead to antibiotic resistance and superbugs spreading across wards.

Now scientists have developed a solution. In a UK first, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Barts Health NHS trust in London have designed a DNA sequencing programme to diagnose bacterial infections much faster and more accurately.”

From The Guardian.