New test enables earlier diagnosis of life-threatening infections

The world’s first rapid diagnostic test for sepsis, which provides a result within three hours, will today be launched by Brisbane-based molecular diagnostics company Athlomics Pty Ltd in collaboration with Mater Pathology.

Clinical trial results showed the test, known as SeptiCyte® Lab, was successful in diagnosing severe infections within three hours of samples being sent to the laboratory.

Mater Health Services Director of Pathology Professor Deon Venter said he was excited by the potential life-saving capabilities of the SeptiCyte® Lab test.

“Currently one third of patients who contract severe sepsis are likely to die from the disease. It is the highest non-coronary cause of death in Intensive Care Units,” Prof Venter said.

“The gold standard diagnostic for sepsis is currently microbial culture which only provides a result in about half the cases of suspected sepsis; it is slow and prone to false positives and negatives,” Prof Venter said.

“With SeptiCyte® Lab we aim to deliver results within three hours of receiving samples, with extremely high accuracy.”

Athlomics Chief Executive Officer Dr Roslyn Brandon said the decision to develop SeptiCyte® Lab resulted from interactions with critical care clinicians and oncologists who stressed the importance of earlier diagnosis of sepsis.

“A relatively quick test such as SeptiCyte® Lab will empower clinicians to more aggressively treat sepsis,” Dr Brandon said.

“Combined with standard clinical assessments, it will allow a more complete picture of the disease and potentially be used to individualise patient care and reduce the need for long term antibiotics use.

“This Australian launch is the first major step in our plan to offer SeptiCyte® technology to the global medical community.”

Royal Brisbane & Womens’ Hospitals Professor Jeff Lipman said SeptiCyte® Lab was a significant advance because of its future potential to monitor severe sepsis patients and detect sepsis in patients at risk.

“Sepsis is caused by the body's response to infection and is the abnormal response of the immune system of the patient—frequently leading to septic shock and death,” Prof Lipman said.