Gene expression could yield treatment decisions up to 72 hours earlier than conventional means.

Researchers at the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated the potential of gene expression in the early identification of ventilator associated pneumonia, signaling a potential revolution in the speed and accuracy with which life-threatening infections can be identified. However, its potential as a viable product needs further consideration.

The micro-array “riboleukogram” is based on gene chip technology, and could be routinely used to pick up early indicators of immune responses to infection long before clinical signs of disease occur. Given the vulnerability of patients requiring mechanical ventilation to infection, this kind of head start in treatment decision making could dramatically improve the prospects of survival for patients, massively reduce the costs of care, and offer the potential for a new era in the management of hospital-associated infections.

This research is the latest in a string of successes in speeding up the process by which serious infections can be identified. The potential for its clinical applications is phenomenal. In the parallel world of severe, systemic fungal infections, the evolution of molecular diagnostics that identify biologic markers well in advance of clinical symptoms has enabled physicians to start thinking about proactive, pre-emptive therapies for the first time. The knock-on effect for the pharmaceutical market has been substantial, as these diagnostics not only facilitate better choices in treatment strategies, but have the potential to revolutionise recruitment for clinical trials.

For additional reading visit: Commercial & Pipeline Insight: Hospital Antibacterials A market beyond MRSA