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.
DNA sequencing involves reading the genetic code of bacteria. Experts say it is akin to reading the instruction manual that tells bacteria how to function.
It enables scientists to identify the specific type of bacteria and which antibiotics it might be resistant to, helping doctors give the patient the most effective treatment, instead of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
The pioneering system, successfully trialled in 2,000 NHS patients, is already helping doctors offer better-targeted treatments earlier. This means a much quicker recovery, fewer complications such as sepsis, and a lower risk of others picking up the infection and of superbugs emerging in wards.
The new method can reliably detect which bacteria are causing an infection and which antibiotics will work best to treat it. The approach delivers results within 48 hours, significantly faster than traditional methods.
Experts say the breakthrough paves the way for rapid DNA sequencing to become a routine part of hospital diagnostics across the NHS, bringing faster, more accurate testing to patients nationally.
Dr Chrysi Sergaki, head of microbiome at the MHRA, said rapid DNA sequencing was “crucial in the fight against superbugs”.
She added: “The pilot has demonstrated that this new technology is already making a real difference to patients’ lives. When someone comes into hospital with a serious infection, every hour counts.
“Instead of waiting days or even weeks to identify exactly what’s causing their infection, hospitals can now get answers within 48 hours. This means doctors can start the right treatment sooner, helping patients recover faster and get back home to their families.”
Ian Butler, lead clinical scientist in medical microbiology at Barts, said traditional diagnostics relied on growing bacteria in the lab from patient samples.
This can take a week or longer and “lacks sensitivity”, especially in patients already on broad-spectrum antibiotics for serious infections, such as sepsis or meningitis.
“Since the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can reduce the bacterial yield in a patient, these cultures often yield negative results, meaning bacteria fail to grow in the lab.
“This makes it difficult to obtain a definitive diagnosis, leaving patients on prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, which not only delays effective treatment but also increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.”
Rapid DNA sequencing, by contrast, can spot the specific infection in clinical samples even when bacteria have been damaged or their levels significantly reduced due to prior antibiotic treatment, Butler said.
“By identifying bacteria quickly and accurately, especially in patients previously treated with antibiotics, we can administer the correct targeted antibiotics sooner. This ensures a much faster recovery while reducing the risk of side effects and complications associated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
“Not all antibiotics are effective against all bacteria and specific bacteria are more susceptible to certain antibiotics than others. If the wrong antibiotic is used, treatment can fail, leading to prolonged illness and greater risks to the patient. This makes it essential to determine the exact cause of an infection to provide the safest and most effective treatment.”
The World Health Organization has described superbugs as “one of the top global public health and development threats”.
Last month, a National Audit Office report warned that they were already contributing to more than 35,000 deaths a year in the UK and that the government “remains a long way” from achieving its aim of containing and controlling them.
Butler said cutting the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics with rapid DNA sequencing could help turn the tide in the war on superbugs.
“Prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics doesn’t just affect the individual patient – it can promote bacterial mutations, leading to antibiotic resistance and the emergence of superbugs,” he said.
“These superbugs can cause deadly infections, such as hard-to-treat sepsis, and once established, they can spread within hospitals. This puts other patients – especially those who are already seriously ill – at even greater risk.
“By rapidly pinpointing infections and delivering precise treatment, this new approach not only improves patient outcomes but also helps prevent antibiotic-resistant superbugs from taking hold in hospitals, protecting future patients and the wider public.”
