#United States #Tampa #Mayo Clinic #Detect-ION #Pneumonia

Detect-ION Launches Project for Breath-Based Pneumonia Diagnostics

Detect-ION, a health-tech startup hailing from Tampa, Florida, has recently embarked on a groundbreaking collaborative project with the Infectious Diseases Division at Mayo Clinic Florida. This initiative is part of the Mayo Clinic Advanced Innovation Research (MC-AIR) program, and aims to innovate diagnostic methodologies by creating a non-invasive breath test to detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa—a significant contributor to pneumonia, particularly in lung transplant patients and individuals with various lung conditions.

Understanding Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly versatile bacterium notorious for causing hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). It poses a serious risk, especially to immunocompromised patients and those reliant on medical devices like prosthetics. Due to its unique ability to form protective biofilms and develop resistance against antibiotics, treating infections caused by this bacterium is often a complex challenge. This complexity has led to a concerning rise in drug-resistant strains, compounding the efficacy challenges for healthcare providers.

The Failings of Current Detection Methods

Existing diagnostic techniques are often slow, invasive, or unreliable. Traditional sputum and blood cultures can yield inconclusive results, while bronchoscopy, though sometimes effective, is not suited for many high-risk patients due to its invasive nature. Critically, these methodologies often struggle to differentiate between invasive infections and harmless colonizations, leading to unnecessary overtreatment with powerful antibiotics.

Revolutionizing Diagnostic Approaches

The collaborative team aims to change this narrative by focusing on identifying biomarkers in exhaled breath. Their goal is to develop a diagnostic tool that:

• - Efficiently detects lower respiratory tract pathogens, including P. aeruginosa.
• - Distinguishes between colonization and invasive disease states.
• - Correlates identified biomarkers with the severity of the disease.
• - Monitors treatment effectiveness and response.
• - Minimizes the need for invasive procedures like bronchoscopy.

Introducing the CLARION Technology

Detect-ION's approach leverages the innovative CLARION platform, a point-of-care breath diagnostic system. This technology employs a miniaturized gas chromatograph and chip-scale mass spectrometer (GC-MS) that delivers lab-grade analysis in under five minutes. This system is capable of detecting trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath with remarkable sensitivity and accuracy.

Originally designed for detecting trace chemicals through funding from various U.S. government bodies like IARPA and DARPA, the CLARION technology is now being adapted for a broader spectrum of clinical applications, including detecting pulmonary infections, tuberculosis, malaria, and even lung cancer.

Enhancing Patient Care and Reducing Costs

Pneumonia imposes a staggering financial burden on the U.S. healthcare system, costing over $17 billion annually and often leading to extended hospital stays that occupy essential resources. Through this collaboration, the duo aspires to develop an accessible, non-invasive breath test that empowers physicians to act decisively and tailor more precise treatments. This also aims to optimize the use of systemic antibiotics and promote preventive measures, including inhaled antibiotics.

The long-term vision encompasses establishing a platform that serves a multitude of applications across clinical care, government, military operations, public health, and various industries. This could significantly alter the way respiratory infections are diagnosed and managed on a global scale.

A Paradigm Shift in Diagnostics

Dr. Ashish Chaudhary, CEO of Detect-ION, shares his insights: "For decades, chemical analysis was restricted to laboratory environments. With CLARION, we have miniaturized this capability for point-of-care breath analysis, significantly expediting disease detection. This partnership represents a pivotal advancement in tackling one of the most pressing challenges in medicine—rapid and accurate pneumonia diagnostics. It’s not just a minor improvement; it’s a transformative leap in diagnostic thinking, poised to enhance care standards and mitigate drug resistance on a worldwide scale."

About Detect-ION

Founded in 2021, Detect-ION is dedicated to revolutionizing molecular diagnostics with a focus on advanced sensor technologies. Their endeavors reach far beyond just medical applications, extending into national security and environmental monitoring, with a mission to democratize access to real-time, portable lab-grade analysis. Their innovations cater to a plethora of CBRNE detection requirements while also pioneering advancements in breath-based diagnostics.