Deadly bug early detection hope

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Scientists have developed a method for quickly detecting a deadly superbug which infects weakened immune systems.

The research team, led by the University of Sunderland, said they could identify pseudomonas aeruginosa within 24 to 48 hours of infection.

Cystic fibrosis, cancer and AIDS sufferers are particularly at risk from the bacterium, as are severe burns victims and transplant patients.

Early detection greatly increases a patient's chances of survival.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA, pseudomonas aeruginosa accounts for 10.1% of all hospital infections.

Professor Paul Groundwater, who led the research, said: "This superbug has a massive impact on people who are immunocompromised, for example patients with severe burns, cancer and AIDS.

"It is calculated that 28% of people who have undergone transplant surgery are infected by pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Cystic fibrosis patients are vulnerable to infection

"We hope our research will make a big difference in the survival rate of many thousands of vulnerable people throughout the world."

The bacteria infect the fluid on the lungs of cystic fibrosis sufferers and also infect patients in intensive care units, he added.

Using the new diagnostic method, a non-coloured compound reacts with an enzyme in pseudomonas aeruginosa, which then produces a very distinctive purple colour.

The technique works on 99% of the strains of the superbug, said Prof Groundwater.

The research was sponsored by the multinational biotechnology company bioMerieux.