Infections with the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus are increasingly affecting immunocompromised patients and those with cystic fibrosis. Such infections are often resistant to antibiotics and can become untreatable unless an appropriate multi-drug regimen is used. In a new study published online on August 20 in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, William R. Jacobs Jr., Ph.D., Phyu M. Thwe, Ph.D., and colleagues describe a new test that can determine M. abscessus drug resistance in just 48 hours versus the current wait time of 7 to 14 days using conventional methods.

The rapid test uses mycobacterium-infecting viruses to carry luciferase genes into bacteria isolated from patients; those bacterial isolates are then mixed with antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and amikacin, used to treat M. abscessus infection. The test reveals drug resistance because bacteria surviving antibiotic exposure can express luciferase and therefore “light up,” while drug-sensitive samples remain dark. The finding should enable clinicians to provide earlier, more targeted therapy for M. abscessus and thereby improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Jacobs, the study’s co-senior and co-corresponding author, is the Leo and Julia Forchheimer Chair in Microbiology and Immunology and professor of genetics and of microbiology & immunology at Einstein. Dr. Thwe, also a co-senior and co-corresponding author, is an associate professor of pathology at Einstein. Saranathan Rajagopalan, Ph.D., a research assistant professor in Dr. Jacobs’ lab, is the first author of this study.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine has filed patent application related to this research and is seeking licensing partners able to further develop and commercialize this technology. Interested parties can contact the Office of Biotechnology and Business Development at biotech@einsteinmed.edu.