Electronic nose targets MRSA
The identification of patients and healthcare workers contaminated with superbugs could soon be achieved with an electronic nose.
The e-nose is a polymer-based device equipped with software that can detect three strains of staphylococcus aureus bacteria, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), with over 99% accuracy.
Surgeon David Morgan and engineer Dr Ritaban Dutta created the e-nose, which can be placed on a desk and used by those trained without the need for laboratory testing. At present, it cannot distinguish the MRSA superbug from the methicillin-susceptible strain but can be used to screen staff or patients who may need more rigorous testing.
Dutta said that the technology is “in its early stages” and government funding is required for further research, but he believes the e-nose will be ready for use “in less than two years”.