JAKARTA - Belgorod National Research University (BelSU) staff developed an innovative testing system that allows for the quick differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. The development will prevent patients from being mistreated with antibiotics, the university's press service reported Thursday.
"Viral and bacterial infections have opposite treatment regimens. Therefore, doctors need to diagnose the nature of the pathology as early as possible. Physiologically, with a standard set of tests, this is very difficult to do," the press service wrote, citing Professor Mikhail Pokrovsky, director of the Institute of Life Pharmacology. The system, where the research was conducted, reports Reuters 17 March
"One has to be a highly skilled medical professional to be able to do that. That's why the search for biomarkers and the development of testing systems to differentiate viral and bacteriological infections is so important," he continued.
The head of the project 'Production of equipment-free in vitro diagnostic systems based on antibodies for screening studies' and researcher from the BelSU Institute of the Pharmacology of Living Systems Alexandr Kulikov noted that the percentage of lethal outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in Russia was 7.4 times more lower than in the world (0.91 percent) thanks to proper early diagnosis.
"But the PCR test, after all, is pure laboratory practice. What about the "here and now?" For example, when entering a university, shop, or theater? We already have a solution, an immunochromatographic test. Performance is good, but expensive because of the complexity of production, explains Kulikov.
"We offer innovative products that allow doctors to quickly determine whether a patient has a viral or bacteriological infection. After all, the right therapy depends on the correct diagnosis," he said.
The assay system takes into account the presepsin protein level during diagnostics, which changes depending on the nature of the pathology. It is released into the circulation by phagocytes during phagocytosis, is well studied in laboratory practice, in contrast to other highly specific markers, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin.
To note, Pharmacology of Living Systems is currently looking for partners to research monoclonal antibodies, the main component of the assay system. The research will be conducted at Belgorod National Research University, which is the pilot production site.
Potential industry partners have shown interest in development. Meanwhile, the researchers hope to successfully implement the new system in light of the challenges of the pandemic. The diagnostic system is being developed under the Priority 2030 strategic development program, added the university's press service.
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