Probe Speeds Detection of Deep Lung Infections in Patients

摘要

Using a medical imaging technology that is under development has enabled doctors to see bacteria deep inside patients' lungs for the first time. Early tests indicate the bedside technology may be able to detect harmful bacteria in patients' lungs in less than 60 seconds enabling critically ill patients to be given the right medicine quickly and potentially avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics. Each year around 20 million patients in intensive care need ventilators to help them breathe, with up to one-third of these patients suspected to have serious lung infections. Infections are currently diagnosed withX-rays which are imprecise and extracted fluid samples can take days to return a result.fluid