We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Rapid Bedside Test Predicts Sepsis with Over 90% Accuracy

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 28 May 2025

Sepsis is a severe response to an infection that causes the immune system to attack the body's own organs and tissues, potentially leading to organ failure and death if not addressed promptly. More...

It is responsible for approximately 20% of all global deaths. Predicting sepsis remains challenging, as its early symptoms are vague and current diagnostic tests can take up to 18 hours, often requiring specialized labs. This delay in treatment increases the risk of death by nearly 8% per hour. Now, researchers have developed a new blood test and portable device that can detect the onset of sepsis more quickly and accurately than existing methods.

The test, developed by scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada) and Sepset Biosciences (Victoria, BC, Canada), has demonstrated over 90% accuracy in identifying individuals at high risk of developing sepsis, marking a significant advancement in how doctors will diagnose and treat this condition. The study, published in Nature Communications, involved analyzing blood samples from more than 3,000 hospital patients with suspected sepsis. Using machine learning, the researchers identified a six-gene expression signature, dubbed "Sepset," which successfully predicted sepsis nine times out of ten, even before a formal diagnosis was made. When tested with an additional 248 blood samples using RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction), a common hospital laboratory technique, the test showed 94% accuracy in detecting early-stage sepsis in patients whose condition was likely to worsen.

This success highlights the powerful role of AI in handling complex data, pinpointing the critical genes necessary for predicting sepsis, and developing a highly accurate algorithm for assessing sepsis risk. To make this test more accessible in clinical settings, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has developed a portable device, PowerBlade, which uses a drop of blood and an automated sequence of steps to detect sepsis efficiently. In trials with 30 patients, PowerBlade demonstrated 92% accuracy in identifying patients at high risk of sepsis and 89% accuracy in ruling out those not at risk. The device provided results in under three hours, making it suitable for use in various environments, including emergency rooms and remote healthcare settings.

“Sepsis accounts for roughly 20% of all global deaths,” said lead author Dr. Claudia dos Santos, a critical care physician and scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital. “Our test could be a powerful game changer, allowing physicians to quickly identify and treat patients before they begin to rapidly deteriorate.”

Related Links:
UBC
Sepset Biosciences


Gold Member
Quantitative POC Immunoassay Analyzer
EASY READER+
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
8-Channel Pipette
SAPPHIRE 20–300 µL
New
Silver Member
Quality Control Material
NATtrol Chlamydia trachomatis Positive Control
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Early and effective screening for gestational diabetes mellitus is becoming increasingly important (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

First-Trimester Blood Test Accurately Predicts Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects many pregnancies and is typically detected midway through pregnancy, often too late to prevent complications. Women diagnosed late face increased risks such... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: Platelets sequester cfDNA during circulation (Murphy L. et al., Science, 2025; DOI: 10.1126/science.adp3971)

Platelets Could Improve Early and Minimally Invasive Detection of Cancer

Platelets are widely recognized for their role in blood clotting and scab formation, but they also play a crucial role in immune defense by detecting pathogens and recruiting immune cells.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.