LexaGene’s MiQLab™ Accurately Detects Multiple Strains of Pathogenic Bacteria in Polymicrobial Samples Compared to Conventional Culture
September 07 2021 - 7:45AM
LexaGene Holdings, Inc., (OTCQB: LXXGF; TSX-V: LXG)
(“LexaGene” or the “Company”), a molecular diagnostics company that
develops fully automated rapid pathogen detection systems, today
announced it successfully utilized its MiQLab™
System (“MiQLab”) to detect the presence of multiple strains
of pathogenic bacteria in polymicrobial samples that vary in their
antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These samples were missed by
traditional Culture and Sensitivity Testing (C&ST), and the
time-to-results were orders-of-magnitude faster for the MiQLab.
Dr. Jack Regan, LexaGene’s CEO and Founder stated, “C&ST is
viewed as the gold standard; however, it can generate false
results1,2,3 and can take too long for routine use. In this study,
LexaGene demonstrates that PCR testing is far better at reliably
detecting a mixed culture, which is critical for improving patient
outcomes, particularly if the minor pathogen population is
resistant to the prescribed therapy. Not only is the MiQLab better
in this regard, but it also provides results in ~2 hours rather
than 5 to 11 days as observed in our study for C&ST. These two
advantages can be significant enough to persuade many to adopt
in-clinic PCR testing for routine use in medical and veterinary
care settings.”
An interview with Dr. Regan can be viewed HERE.
Polymicrobial infections can be defined as simultaneous or
successive infections caused by two or more distinct microorganisms
or genotypically different strains of the same pathogen in the same
anatomical site. In the case of urinary tract infections (UTIs),
there are reports that demonstrate as high as 39% of urine cultures
in elderly patients show polymicrobial infections.4 Another study
in veterinary medicine showed that 45% of the samples collected
from companion animals were polymicrobial in nature and a high
percentage were multi-drug resistant.5 A third study showed that
polymicrobial infections can cause flesh-eating wounds.6
Dr. Manoj Nair, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, LexaGene’s Director of of
Applications & Assay Development, stated, “I practiced as a
veterinarian early in my career and found complicated and recurrent
infections to be extremely frustrating for the pet owner and
certainly distressing for the pet. The occasional failure of
culture to detect the presence of polymicrobial infections may
contribute to the challenge of successfully treating these
infections after the initial visit. Having the MiQLab in clinics
can help veterinarians to accurately diagnose even these
troublesome infections and offer the best possible diagnostics and
care to the clients.”
Two pathogens frequently seen in companion animal diseases are
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, which is typically associated with
skin infections, and Escherichia coli, which is the leading cause
of UTIs. We assessed the ability of the MiQLab, equipped with the
Bacterial and AMR Test V2*, to detect the presence of
subpopulations of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens in mixed
samples in comparison to the current standard for microbial
identification and antimicrobial sensitivity (reference laboratory
C&ST).
Four bacterial strains were used in two groupings, the first
group contained two S. pseudintermedius strains (one with, and one
without AMR genes) and the second group contained two E. coli
strains (one with, and one without an AMR gene). The strains with
AMR genes were mixed at a 1,000-fold lower concentration than the
strains without AMR genes to represent a subpopulation of AMR
bacteria in the mixed sample. The original strains and each of the
S. pseudintermedius and E. coli mixed samples were sent to two
reference laboratories, one of which would be considered a market
leader, for C&ST. All samples were concurrently run on the
MiQLab using the Bacterial and AMR Test V2.
The MiQLab correctly identified Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli
in the appropriate samples tested. Additionally, the MiQLab
successfully detected the AMR markers associated with resistance to
beta-lactams, lincosamides, sulfa-TMP, and tetracyclines in the
minority population of the S. pseudintermedius mixed sample and an
AMR marker associated with beta-lactam resistance in the minority
population of the E. coli mixed sample. In comparison, both
reference labs reported the correct species of bacteria in each
sample tested but failed to correctly report the resistances
associated with the subpopulation of AMR bacteria in the two mixed
samples. Moreover, the MiQLab generated results in ~2 hours per
sample versus 5 to11 days for the two reference labs, with the most
well-known and respected reference laboratory taking the longest.
Our results demonstrate the advantage the MiQLab system has over
culture in detecting subpopulations of bacteria in polymicrobial
samples with genotypic differences that can potentially affect
treatment outcomes. Using this technology in clinic, where results
are available in ~2 hours, would be expected to significantly
improve treatment decisions.
*MiQLab Bacterial and AMR Test V2 detects 10 common pathogens
and 33 genes and variants that confer resistance to four classes of
antimicrobials (beta-lactams, lincosamides, sulfa-TMP, and
tetracyclines).
To learn more about LexaGene and the MiQLab System or subscribe
to company updates, visit www.lexagene.com, or follow us on Twitter
or LinkedIn.
On Behalf of the Board of DirectorsDr.
Jack ReganChief Executive Officer &
Chairman
About LexaGene Holdings Inc.LexaGene is a
molecular diagnostics company that develops molecular diagnostic
systems for pathogen detection and genetic testing for other
molecular markers for on-site rapid testing in veterinary
diagnostics, food safety and for use in open-access markets such as
clinical research, agricultural testing, and biodefense. End-users
simply need to collect a sample, load it onto the instrument with a
sample preparation cartridge, enter sample ID and press ‘go’. The
MiQLab™ system delivers excellent sensitivity, specificity, and
breadth of detection and can return results in approximately two
hours. The unique open-access feature is designed for custom
testing so that end-users can load their own real-time PCR assays
onto the instrument to target any genetic target of interest.
The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way
passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither
approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
This news release contains forward-looking information, which
involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual events to differ materially from current
expectation. Important factors -- including the availability of
funds, the results of financing efforts, the success of technology
development efforts, the cost to procure critical parts,
performance of the instrument, market acceptance of the technology,
regulatory acceptance, and licensing issues -- that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations
as disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on
SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims
any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law,
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3244596/
-
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10096-019-03499-x.pdf
-
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1198743X14605796#bib4
- Laudisio A, Marinosci F, Fontana D, et al. The burden of
comorbidity is associated with symptomatic polymicrobial urinary
tract infection among institutionalized elderly. Aging Clin Exp
Res. 2015;27(6):805-812.
- Fernández-Bravo A, Kilgore PB, Andersson JA, et al. T6SS and
ExoA of flesh-eating Aeromonas hydrophila in peritonitis and
necrotizing fasciitis during mono-and polymicrobial infections.
Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2019;116(48):24084-24092.
- Hartantyo SHP, Chau ML, Fillon L, et
al. Sick pets as potential reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria in Singapore. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control.
2018;7(1):106.
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