New Delhi, December 4 (IANS). Canadian researchers have revealed a non-invasive method for early detection of sepsis in their research.
Sepsis is an uncommon infection. If there is a delay in its treatment then it can lead to failure of body organs. Often such deadly infections are detected late due to which millions of people die every year around the world.
Researchers at Western University in Ontario, Canada, showed that a non-invasive imaging test that assesses blood flow through bone muscles is effective in detecting sepsis infection.
“The study shows that the brain is partially protected in early sepsis, but the disease can be detected by detecting changes in bone muscle microhemodynamics,” the team said in the paper published in The FASEB Journal.
Currently, sepsis is initially treated with antibiotics and vasopressors. These medicines help manage infection and systemic hypotension (low blood pressure) and are helpful in increasing survival rates. However, there is currently a lack of tools that can detect sepsis in its early stages.
Thus, accessible technology for early detection and treatment of sepsis is needed globally, the team said.
In the study, the team used imaging methods called hyperspectral near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy, which are commonly used to monitor tissue conditions in bed-ridden patients.
The team conducted research on mice to find out how effective the imaging techniques are.
With imaging methods it was possible to identify signs of sepsis in the microcirculation of bone muscles.
“Sepsis is a leading cause of death worldwide that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and those with low resources,” said study co-author Rasa Eskandari, who is pursuing her doctorate at Western University.
“Since early detection can significantly improve outcomes and save lives, our team is working to develop accessible technologies for early detection of sepsis and timely intervention,” Eskandari said.
–IANS
MKS/AKJ