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Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden developed a rapid test for urinary tract infections (UTIs), capable of detecting the infection and identifying the correct antibiotic treatment within 45 minutes.
This test utilizes a small urine sample placed on a cartridge and inserted into an analyzer, offering a significant improvement over current laboratory tests that take days for results.
Awarded the £8 million Longitude prize for its potential to revolutionize antibiotic use, the test could curb the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance by enabling more targeted treatment.
By quickly identifying the appropriate antibiotic, the test could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and help combat the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.
The technology is being introduced in Europe with plans to expand access in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and South Africa, aiming to make it affordable for low-resource settings.
While the test currently costs around £25 per cartridge, experts anticipate that wider adoption and increased production could significantly lower the price.
