A Multiplex Fluidic Chip for Rapid Phenotypic Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing

Prompt and effective antimicrobial therapy is crucial for the management of patients with severe bacterial infections but is becoming increasingly difficult to provide due to emerging antibiotic resistance. The traditional methods for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) used in most clinical laboratories are reliable but slow with turnaround times of 2 to 3 days, which necessitates the use of empirical therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics. There is a great need for fast and reliable AST methods that enable starting targeted treatment within a few hours to improve patient outcome and reduce the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The multiplex fluidic chip for phenotypic AST described in the present study may enable data on antimicrobial resistance within 2 to 4 h, allowing for an early initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy.