Rapid test developed to identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Medical professionals at La Candelaria Hospital have created a genetic diagnostic system that identifies dangerous variants of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hours.

Generic image of a DNA helix with a laboratory background.
IA

Generic image of a DNA helix with a laboratory background.

Medical professionals from the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria have developed an innovative genetic diagnostic system capable of identifying the most dangerous variants of multidrug-resistant bacteria in just a few hours.

This new system, published in the scientific journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection, is based on genetic material analysis and has demonstrated one hundred percent accuracy in tests with sixty samples from real patients. It can perfectly differentiate various strains without generating any false positives.
The test represents a significant advancement for healthcare management, offering an economical, rapid, and accessible alternative for real-time outbreak surveillance, protecting vulnerable patients, and prescribing more effective antibiotic treatments. Previously, laboratories could take several days to identify bacteria, delaying drug administration and necessary isolation measures.
The method, similar to PCR tests used for covid-19 detection, simplifies the process, allowing medical staff to identify the type of bacteria within hours. This speeds up medical intervention and the selection of the most appropriate medication or treatment, which is particularly crucial for multidrug-resistant bacteria that do not respond to last-resort antibiotics.
Based on information from the official source: GobCan — Consejería de Sanidad / Servicio Canario de la Salud (SCS) (20/08/2026)