SARMaware: the future of the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in infected wounds

Among nosocomial infections, one with the highest mortality and contagion rate worldwide is caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA. These strains are resistant to multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics that are often prescribed when the type of microorganism causing the infection is unknown. Although there are methods to detect MRSA, they are only performed in laboratories by trained professionals. Likewise, less expensive detection techniques give results in more than 12 hours. During this period of time the bacteria has already begun to develop stronger resistance mechanisms and, even, has compromised multiple organs and tissues of the patient. Now, there are rapid detection methods, but these are very expensive, so not all health institutions can afford them. The SARMaware project was initiated due to all of these health, medical and economical issues. This project focuses on the development of a fast, efficient and low-cost technique that can detect the presence of MRSA in infected wounds. In this article, initial fabrication and standardization steps of a paper-based microfluidic device with hydrophobic channels designed using laser printing techniques are assessed. The main objective is to propose a standardized synthesis of a portable device that can detect MRSA from wound swaps using anthocyanins from purple cabbage as a pH indicator. Up to now, the standard procedure for anthocyanin extraction has been designed and evaluated, as well as the optimal morphology of the channels printed on the paper device according to parameters such as channel width and sample’s flow time. It is clear, however, that more tests are necessary to fully address the proposed device’s function and range of operation. Nevertheless, these experimental results are promising, meaning that SARMaware has potential as a rapid and economic alternative for MRSA detection in a clinical environment.