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




Real-Time Genome Sequencing Detects Dangerous Superbug Causing Hospital Infections

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Jun 2025

Superbug infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, or ‘golden staph’, are notoriously difficult to treat and claim over one million lives globally each year. More...

These bacteria can rapidly develop resistance to even the most powerful antibiotics, making it challenging for clinicians to select effective therapies in time. Now, researchers have demonstrated that real-time genome sequencing can track bacterial mutations during treatment, enabling doctors to adjust therapies early and improve outcomes for patients with severe golden staph infections.

The breakthrough comes from scientists at the Doherty Institute (Melbourne, Australia), who collaborated with seven major hospitals in Victoria. This marks the first time researchers have shown that genome sequencing during active infection, not years later, can guide treatment decisions in real time. Traditional lab tests only identify the bacterial species, but genome sequencing provides a complete genetic profile, revealing how the bacteria are adapting and what traits could lead to treatment failure. In the study published in Nature Communications, the team collected bacterial samples from patients experiencing treatment failure and compared them to earlier samples taken at the start of infection. In one-third of the cases, they discovered new mutations that could compromise therapy effectiveness.

For example, one patient repeatedly relapsed after stopping antibiotics, with each recurrence showing new dangerous mutations. Armed with this data, the clinical team was able to change the antibiotic strategy and successfully cure the infection. To measure the clinical value of this approach, the researchers surveyed 25 infectious disease specialists across Australia, the UK, the US, and Switzerland. The genomic reports received an average usefulness score of 80 out of 100, with more than a third of clinicians reporting that the findings influenced their choice of antibiotic. Until now, genomic evolution during infection has only been studied retrospectively. By enabling real-time tracking, this method could usher infectious diseases into the era of precision medicine, similar to what genomics has achieved in oncology.

“Our study is the first to show that by tracking bacterial evolution in real-time, genome sequencing can reveal tricks bacteria use to survive, giving doctors the power to stay one step ahead and tailor treatment to the specific bacterial strain,” said Dr. Stefano Giulieri, lead author of the study. “This helps avoid unnecessary treatments, minimize side effects for patients, and prevent further antibiotic resistance – ultimately giving patients the best chance of recovery.”


New
Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Clinical Chemistry System
P780
New
Human Estradiol Assay
Human Estradiol CLIA Kit
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

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... 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

Technology

view channel
Image: The sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample (Photo courtesy of Larry Cheng/Penn State)

Graphene-Based Sensor Uses Breath Sample to Identify Diabetes and Prediabetes in Minutes

About 37 million U.S. adults live with diabetes, and one in five is unaware of their condition. Diagnosing diabetes often requires blood draws or lab visits, which are costly and inconvenient.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.