Traditionally, the standard MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) susceptibility test has been used to determine which antibiotic(s) to use in treating a patient with a particular bacterial infection. Simply stated, a sample of the bacteria causing the infection is tested against a selection of antibiotics to see which ones will kill the bacteria.

In understanding how bacteria respond to antibiotics, however, it is important to note that bacteria causing an infection can be present either in a free-floating state or as a biofilm. Current MIC testing tests bacteria in a free-floating state. Biofilms are organized communities of microorganisms that adhere to a surface, encased in a protective layer, and can be up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics than the same organism in a free-floating state. The National Institutes of Health has stated that 80% of all human infections are caused by biofilms. Despite this statistic, however, there are currently no antibiotics, disinfectants, diagnostics, including the standard MIC test, or regulatory standards designed specifically for organisms in biofilm state.

As a result, patients with chronic infections may not be treated in a way that reflects the antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria as they are found within the body. This in turn can potentially lead to treatment failures, unnecessary patient suffering and a trial and error process in choosing alternate antibiotics, or in some cases, combinations of antibiotics as in the case of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung infections, in an attempt to find a solution, while potentially contributing to increased antibiotic resistance.

With this in mind, Innovotech has developed a line of biofilm antimicrobial susceptibility tests that have the capacity to test the majority of bacteria responsible for human infections. Innovotech also has a susceptibility test, bioFILM PA™, that provides combination antibiotic susceptibility results specific for Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-based infections, a common cause of hospital-acquired infections and a major concern for individuals with CF. bioFILM PA™ provides guidance on the selection of combination antibiotics recognizing that doctors routinely use combinations, with little guidance, as they know that single antibiotics rarely work on difficult to treat biofilm infections.

Susceptibility testing of bacterial samples using Innovotech’s biofilm test are processed in the same way as samples would be tested using the MIC test, except that the bacteria is grown as a biofilm prior to exposure to the antibiotics.

The process for physicians is simple: send a sample (sputum, swab, blood, urine, serum or clinical isolate) directly to Innovotech. Once the sample has been received it takes approximately 48-72 hours to complete the test. Results are sent directly to the physician electronically. One of our biofilm susceptibility experts is always available to answer any questions you, as the physician, may have with regard to the results.

Make your decision with greater precision.

Disclaimer: All in-house human biofilm bacterial susceptibility testing and associated Information are to be used for research or informational purposes only and are not intended to be used for any medical, diagnostic, regulatory or any other purposes whatsoever. The human biofilm susceptibility tests and associated Information are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. bioFILM PA™ has been approved by Health Canada.