Abstracto

Metabolomic profiling enables the rapid detection of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) human pathogenic bacteria

Fatima Zaidi, Allyson Dailey, Jessica Saha and Robin Couch

 Statement of the Problem: Rapid diagnosis of AMR strains of human pathogenic bacteria enables informed decisions regarding therapeutic options and may be critical to the effectiveness of clinical treatment. Techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Microbial Culturing, and/or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) are well established, however can be time consuming, laborious, and costly. The purpose of this study was to develop a really rapid detection method for the identification of AMR strains of pathogenic bacteria, using Yersinia pestis (the causative agent of the plague) as a model organism. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) are a family of structurally diverse, microbial-derived metabolites, generally related by their volatility at room temperature. Here, we employed headspace solid phase microextraction (hSPME), including gas chromatography (GC), for the extraction and analysis of mVOCs emanating from bacterial cultures of untamed type and kanamycin resistant strains of Yersinia pestis. To ensure broad chemical diversity within the derived mVOC profiles, while still enabling a rapid analysis time, we employed a way mentioned as simultaneous multi-headspace SPME (simulti-hSPME). Findings: Using simulti-hSPME with diverse sorbent types, we generated mVOC profiles that serve as metabolomic fingerprints that readily differentiate wild type (kanamycin sensitive) and kanamycin resistant strains of Yersinia pestis. The complete analysis can be completed within 15 minutes. Conclusion & Significance: Rapid diagnosis of AMR strains of human bacterial pathogens is crucial for effective therapeutic intervention. Our mVOC metabolomics profiling approach quickly and effectively differentiates wild type (kanamycin sensitive) and kanamycin resistant strains of Yersinia pestis. Application of this method to other bacteria and other sorts of AMR is ongoing and holds promise as an efficient clinical diagnostic procedure .