Blood Lysis Composition for Viable Pathogen Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic workflows for bloodstream infections and sepsis are hindered by the challenge of detecting low concentrations of microbial cells, leading to delayed identification and ineffective isolation, which is exacerbated by time-consuming traditional methods and the limitations of centrifugation.
Innovation Solution
A method for lysing blood samples using a composition that maintains the viability of infectious agents, such as bacteria and fungi, by employing surfactants like saponin and enzymes, without the need for centrifugation, enabling rapid processing and analysis using microfluidics devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional blood culture methods are used, then microbial cells can be detected, but the detection time is delayed (3-5 days) due to low concentration of microbial cells requiring growth incubation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing lysis of blood cells before detection to concentrate microbial cells. The method lysates intact blood cells while maintaining viability of bacterial cells, thereby concentrating the low-concentration microbial cells from whole blood without requiring lengthy incubation periods. This preparatory step enables faster detection by eliminating the need for extended growth incubation.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional diagnostic techniques for isolating microbial cells are used, then bacteria can be isolated, but the process is time-consuming and requires pre-processing steps such as centrifugation that restrict efficient processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the need for centrifugation and other complex pre-processing steps. The lysis composition directly lysates blood cells in whole blood samples, extracting and concentrating microbial cells without requiring centrifugal separation or other mechanical pre-processing operations. This simplifies the workflow and enables rapid processing while maintaining effective isolation of bacteria.
3Ease of operation
If harmful lysing compositions are used to lyse blood cells, then blood cells are effectively lysed, but the infectious agents are destroyed or degraded, preventing accurate phenotyping analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the chemical composition and concentration of the lysis reagent to achieve selective lysis. The lysis composition is formulated with specific surfactants and enzymes at controlled concentrations that effectively lyse mammalian blood cells while maintaining the viability and structural integrity of bacterial cells. This parameter optimization enables differential lysis based on cell type, preserving infectious agents for accurate phenotyping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different chemical environments that affect different cell types differently. The lysis composition is designed to selectively target mammalian cell membranes while leaving bacterial cell membranes intact, creating localized chemical conditions that favor selective lysis. This allows blood cells to be lysed while infectious agents remain viable and structurally preserved for downstream analysis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the sensitivity, speed, and accuracy of diagnostics, allowing for faster identification and treatment of bacterial infections, particularly in resource-limited environments, while preserving the integrity of infectious agents for downstream analysis.
Implementation Method 1
employing surfactants like saponin
Implementation Method 2
and enzymes
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to compositions, systems, and methods for lysing blood samples comprising an infectious agent, for example a bacteria or a fungus, while maintaining viability of the infectious agent for subsequent characterization, for example phenotyping or genotyping. A lysing composition may include one or more surfactants, such as one or more detergents. A lysing composition may include lysing agent including one or more salts. A lysing composition may include one or more enzymes to break down one or more lyses byproducts, such as nucleic acids and/or protein aggregates.