IIT-G Creates 3D Printed Device for Rapid UTI Diagnosis

The device's manufacturing cost is approximately Rs. 608, and each sample testing expenses are only Rs. 8

IIT Guwahati researchers led by Dr. Partho Sarathi Gooh Pattader have developed a method for detecting specific bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs). This innovative device offers rapid and accurate results, addressing a critical need in medical diagnostics.

The team's Point-Of-Care testing (POCT) prototype aims to identify UTI bacteria, which has historically been tedious and time-consuming. The conventional method, involving urine culture, typically takes around two days, delaying treatment and leading to potential patient complications. With their innovation, this research team seeks to significantly reduce detection time and enhance patient care.

The breakthrough device boasts an estimated manufacturing cost of Rs 608, with each sample tested costing just Rs 8. The details of this innovation have been published in the esteemed peer-reviewed journal ACS Applied Bio Materials. The collaborative effort involved Aniruddha Deb, Dr. Partho Sarathi Gooh Pattader, and Prof. Tapas K Mandal from IIT Guwahati. In addition, Dr. Swapnil Sinha and Mousumi Gogoi from Altanostic Lab Private Limited, IITG Research Park.

The research's lead, Dr. Pattader, an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Guwahati, highlighted the significance of their work. "Early-stage detection of UTI is critical to timely treatment. The Point-Of-Care Testing (POCT) prototype developed at IIT Guwahati is a photodetector that detects and quantifies a specific UTI-causing bacteria called 'Klebsiella pneumoniae' within five minutes from a patient's urine sample," he explained. The device's capability to identify 'Klebsiella pneumoniae' holds importance for UTIs and other infections like pneumonia and soft tissue infections.

Dr. Pattader further elucidated the device's mechanism, involving gold nanoparticles and aptamers. The aptamers, designed to fit precisely onto the surface of the target bacteria, contribute to the device's precision. Detection is expedited as aptamers and bacteria rapidly combine. This leads to a change in light intensity that can be detected using a UV-Visible Spectrophotometer.

This biosensor prototype's ability to swiftly detect changes in light intensity when aptamer-gold nanoparticle-bacteria interactions occur holds immense promise. The device's adaptability to different types of bacteria amplifies its potential impact on primary healthcare. Dr. Sinha from Altanostic Lab, IIT Guwahati Research Park, and a collaborator on this project emphasized validating their device's results against conventional hospital methods.

The successful validation paved the way for this technology's optimization and commercialization. Dr. Sinha envisions the potential for transferring this technology to a commercial entity, ultimately benefiting society through improved medical diagnostics and timely treatment. The IIT Guwahati research team's innovative device marks a remarkable step forward in healthcare, promising to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs and potentially other infections.