S.14/E.19

Sepsis Rapid Test

This week we will discuss a new rapid response test for Sepsis with one of the developers, Richard Brandon.

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Sepsis describes a syndrome that occurs when severe infection results in critical illness and affects 750,000 Americans annually. Sepsis occurs when a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection causes a significant response from the body’s immune system, causing a high heart rate, fever, or fast breathing. Severe sepsis develops when the infection causes organ damage. Septic shock is the most severe form in which the infection causes low blood pressure, resulting in damage to multiple organs. About three in every 10 patients with severe sepsis, and half of those with septic shock, die in the hospital.

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Consider asking the following questions:

“Does my loved one have sepsis or septic shock?”

“Do we know what organism is causing the infection in my loved one?”

“Do we know where the infection came from?”

“How well are my loved one’s organs working?”

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Antibiotics and intravenous (IV) fluids are two of the most important treatments for sepsis. Studies have shown that delays in receiving the right antibiotics can double the risk of death. Patients are usually started on antibiotics that treat many different types of bacteria—“broad-spectrum antibiotics”—until test results are available to help physicians select antibiotics that treat the specific bacteria causing the
illness—“narrowing antibiotics”. These tests are often referred to as “cultures”, where bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and phlegm, are sent to the laboratory to identify disease-causing bacteria. Preliminary results from cultures may be available within 24 to 48 hours; final results from these tests often take several days. (credits: ATS) 

Time is critical as you can see!  With Richard Brandon's new test, the results are rapid!! 

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Richard Brandon

Chief Scientific Officer – BVSc (Hons), PhD, MBA

35 years’ experience – veterinary immunologist, molecular biologist, pathologist, animal and human healthcare R&D executive: Cornell, Sloan Kettering Cancer Research, University of Queensland, various private pathology laboratories, Genetrax, Plasvacc, BioNiche. A listed inventor on most Immunexpress patents; architect of IP strategy.