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A strong network of experienced advisors and key opinion leaders, including physicians and microbiologists from several European hospitals, actively supports Hutman’s kit design and development scientifically and technically. Direct communication and frequent exchange with key opinion leaders in the field ensures that Hutman’s products meet the customer’s need. Based on the ALENA system, diagnostic test kits are being developed for:
Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium, usually involving the heart valves, with an in-hospital mortality of about 9.6 - 26%(1). Infective endocarditis is mainly caused by bacteria but also by fungi. Hutman’s prime objective is to develop a fast and sensitive method to detect bacterial infections and resistances in inflamed heart tissue and other infected tissues or surgical material (pacemaker electrodes, prosthetic valves, etc.).
1. Endorsed by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and by the International Society of Chemotherapy (ISC) for Infection and Cancer et al. Guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infective endocarditis (new version 2009): The Task Force on the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Infective Endocarditis of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur. Heart J. 30, 2369–2413 (2009).
Bone and joint infections are recognized as difficult-to-treat infections that result in significant morbidity and mortality among patients and increased healthcare costs. Bone and joints can become infected via agents from adjacent structures, such as natural or prosthetic joints or soft tissue. The number of joint replacement surgeries performed has been increasing steadily since arthroplasty was first performed. Infection is the second most common cause of prosthetic joint failure, aseptic loosening being the most common cause. Joint surgery constitutes the largest part of direct infections (33%) and skin defects are the most important source of haematogenous infections (67%)(1). A simple, rapid, and accurate test with enhanced sensitivity for differentiating prosthetic joint infection from aseptic failure would be helpful, especially if the procedure could be performed preoperatively and in the outpatient setting.
1. Kaandorp, C. J. E. et al. Incidence and sources of native and prosthetic joint infection: a community based prospective survey. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 56, 470–475 (1997).
Antibiotic resistance is an increasingly serious threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society. Development of our platform aims to provide a rapid diagnostic tool to support antimicrobial stewardship programs. Including resistance markers will support clinicians in prescribing the most effective therapy earlier, achieving the best clinical outcomes while minimizing adverse events, limiting the selective pressure that drives the emergence of resistance and will reduce the excessive costs attributable to suboptimal antimicrobial use.
Future development projects
Meningitis Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain and can be of bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic and non-infectious origin(1). Depending on the pathogenic source, treatment options differ significantly, thus, identification of the cause of disease is crucial for early and appropriate medication. Viral infections re the most common cause for meningitis and usually get better without treatment(2). However, bacterial infections are more severe and may result in long-term sequelae or even death when treated(3). Thus, a solid and fast diagnostic method is required, which is highly sensitive and does not interfere with previous antibiotic administration.
1. Ginsberg, L. Difficult and recurrent meningitis. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 75 Suppl 1, i16–21 (2004). 2. National Institute of Health. Meningitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000680.htm 3. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Meningitis - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001700/ Sepsis Sepsis is a whole body inflammation usually caused by a bacterial infection. It is the primary cause of death in intensive care units (ICUs) in high-income countries(1). For instance, in Germany, 60 000 people die of sepsis every year and it is the third most common cause of death(2), whereas in the USA it is the tenth most common cause of death(3). Sepsis can be complicated by organ dysfunction, which is referred as severe sepsis or even worse, septic shock, which is a circulatory failure characterized by arterial hypotension. The mortality rate of sepsis is 30%, 50% for severe sepsis and up to 80% for septic shock(4). The frequent incidence of sepsis worldwide and their devastating effects regarding human morbidity and mortality indicate the need of improved therapy. A reliable diagnostics tool would allow for the identification of frequent and less frequent pathogenic species and their resistance without being impaired by antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, in vitro diagnostic kits providing results within a few hours allow for early adjustment of therapy.
1 .Russell, J. A. Management of Sepsis. N. Engl. J. Med. 355, 1699–1713 (2006). 2. Engel, C. et al. Epidemiology of sepsis in Germany: results from a national prospective multicenter study. Intensive Care Med. 33, 606–618 (2007). 3. Artero, A., Zaragoza, R. & Nogueira, J. M. Epidemiology of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock. at: http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/27953/InTechEpidemiology_of_severe_sepsis_and_septic_shock.pdf 4. Jawad, I., Luksic, I. & Rafnsson, S. B. Assessing available information on the burden of sepsis: global estimates of incidence, prevalence and mortality. J. Glob. Health 2, (2012).
Abscesses An abscess can be defined as a collection of pus that accumulates within the tissue of the body. Abscesses are usually caused by bacteria and in rare cases by parasites.
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Development Projects