Rapid detection of Proteus mirabilis using disposable electrochemical sensors

Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative pathogen frequently isolated from clinical infections, predominantly those of the catheterised urinary tract and wounds. The possibility of severe complications of infection means rapid diagnosis is desired. In current clinical practice the detection of infection relies upon observation of patient symptoms, sampling and laborious culturing procedures. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has emerged as a potentially suitable technology for real-time infection monitoring, with both in-situ and point-of-care applications. The ability of these low-cost carbon sensors to detect P. mirabilis was therefore demonstrated. Rapid detection of this pathogen highlighted the potential for this technology to be successfully adopted into a realtime infection monitoring device.