A new collaboration between the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Barts Health NHS Trust has led to introduction a new DNA sequencing technology that will diagnose bacterial infections quicker and accurately in hospitals across the UK
The new approach hopes to revolutionise how infections are detected, offering significant benefits for patients and healthcare providers.
Diagnosing bacterial infections
Until this recent technology, diagnosing bacterial infections has been a slow process; this could often take several days or even weeks to identify the specific bacteria responsible for the illness.
Traditional methods, which can take up to seven days and, in some cases, as long as eight weeks, can delay the start of proper treatment. This new DNA sequencing technology significantly reduces that timeline, delivering accurate results within just two days. This is a game-changer for doctors and patients, enabling faster and more targeted treatment that can lead to quicker recovery, fewer complications, and a lower risk of spreading infection to others.
DNA sequencing
Since September 2024, over 2,000 patient samples have been analysed using this technology in hospitals across London, including well-known institutions such as the Royal London, Whipps Cross, Newham, and St Bartholomew’s hospitals.
The pilot program, which is set to expand, marks the first time DNA sequencing has been implemented widely in the UK for clinical infection diagnosis.
The rapid DNA sequencing approach analyses the genetic material of the bacteria causing the infection. This method identifies the bacteria and helps determine which antibiotics will be most effective in treating the infection.
This precision ensures that patients receive the right treatment sooner, improving their chances of recovery and reducing the likelihood of complications like sepsis, which can arise from untreated infections.
Helping hospitals cope with antibiotic-resistant bacteria outbreaks
In addition to helping treat individual patients more effectively, the new system also plays a crucial role in combating the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” are becoming an increasing challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. The new sequencing technology allows healthcare professionals to quickly identify resistant bacteria, helping prevent the overuse of antibiotics and reducing the spread of these dangerous pathogens within hospitals.
This initiative is significant in the fight against hospital outbreaks caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One pilot study in November 2024 successfully used the technology to investigate a drug-resistant E. coli outbreak at Newham Hospital, affecting 58 patients.
The sequencing technology helped identify how the resistance spread, allowing the hospital team to take rapid action to prevent further transmission.
The MHRA, which has played a vital role in developing reference materials for sequencing technology, is now focused on standardising the approach to ensure it can be adopted more widely across the NHS. The agency’s involvement in ensuring consistent and accurate results is critical to the success of this new technology.
By developing internationally recognised reference samples, the MHRA ensures that hospitals using the technology can rely on trustworthy diagnoses, making this service a valuable tool for healthcare professionals nationwide.
This new finding aims to make rapid DNA sequencing a standard part of hospital diagnostics across the UK, benefiting patients nationwide. With this technology, healthcare providers will be better equipped to fight infections, improve patient outcomes, and manage hospital outbreaks more effectively.
