Duke University researchers have developed a blood test diagnostic to detect whether a respiratory illness is caused by a viral infection faster and more accurately, according to an Associated Press story. The life science innovation could be a potential game changer in the effort to curb the overprescription of antibiotics. It could impact the risk of antibiotic-resistant viruses such as MRSA that pose a significant threat, particularly for hospital patients.
The blood test reveals subtle molecular changes caused by the immune system fighting off an infection — a genomic fingerprint. The test interprets those molecular changes and can help determine whether the infection is viral or not.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
The findings of a study of the diagnostic test were published in Science Translational Medicine. It had an 89 percent accuracy rate in determining who did and did not have a viral infection, according to the study. It also produced results in 12 hours.
One of the biggest challenges doctors face in diagnosing the cause of a respiratory infection is, in the early stages, a respiratory virus and bacterial infection look completely alike, particularly in children, Dr. Octavio Ramilo, the infectious disease chief at Nationwide Children’s Hospital told Associated Press. Ramilo was not involved in the study.
Longterm, there’s potential for the test to help identify flu strains in the early stages and reduce outbreaks.
[Photo credit: Detailed illustration of virus from BigStock Photos]
