UK Scientists Develop £100 Blood Test that Detects Sepsis within Seconds
A groundbreaking blood test could soon revolutionize the way sepsis is diagnosed, potentially saving thousands of lives in the process. Developed by British scientists, this £100 single-use kit utilizes the same technology as rapid lateral flow tests used for COVID-19. The test not only detects sepsis rapidly but also shows promise in spotting early signs of other diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Sepsis, a life-threatening immune system reaction, can lead to organ failure and death within hours if left untreated. Yet, currently, there isn’t a reliable test available for its early detection. Every year, around 150,000 people are admitted to the hospital in the UK due to sepsis, and it causes approximately 48,000 deaths.
The multiplex test, developed by EDX Medical, could be administered by paramedics and hospital teams, expediting the diagnosis process. Dr. Mike Hudson, the CEO of EDX Medical, explains that the blood test would help people get to the hospital faster, ultimately reducing the number of sepsis deaths. The goal is to make the test available in the UK by 2025.
Previously, actor Jason Watkins publicly shared the tragic loss of his two-year-old daughter, Maude, to sepsis in 2011. Watkins believes that her death could’ve been prevented had hospital staff recognized the warning signs.
While biomarkers in the blood have long been associated with sepsis, constructing a rapid and reliable test has proven challenging. According to Dr. Hudson, around three to five different biomarkers need to be present simultaneously to confirm sepsis. However, the current technology for conducting rapid tests outside of the lab is not yet available.
Dr. Hudson believes that the newly developed blood test could be the solution to this problem. The test functions by collecting a finger-prick blood sample, which is then dropped onto the device. Within minutes, dots on a paper screen indicate the presence of various biomarkers associated with sepsis. If the test detects three out of five sepsis biomarkers, it would confirm that the patient requires urgent specialist hospital treatment.
Clinical trials have demonstrated the test’s ability to identify most biomarkers linked to sepsis accurately. Furthermore, the test shows potential in detecting up to ten other diseases, including bladder, pancreatic, cervical, and breast cancer.
The effectiveness of the blood test will be further evaluated in a forthcoming study set to be published by the end of the year.
In conclusion, the development of a £100 blood test capable of detecting sepsis in seconds represents a major breakthrough in medical technology. By offering a rapid and reliable diagnostic tool, this test has the potential to save countless lives each year. Additionally, its future applications in detecting other diseases could further enhance its impact on healthcare. With anticipated availability in the UK by 2025, medical professionals and patients alike eagerly anticipate the introduction of this groundbreaking blood test.
