Bacterial infections are the second largest cause of death worldwide, just behind heart disease. With support from Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Global Health, infectious diseases specialist David Roach, MD, has developed a tool with the potential to revolutionize how infections are diagnosed worldwide.
In lower-resource settings or areas with limited access to healthcare, where much of Dr. Roach’s research is focused, the number of deaths from infections can be four times the rate in the United States. Not only are there higher levels of antibiotic-resistant infections, but doctors often lack the tools to identify which bacteria are causing an infection. Without that information, effective treatment is almost impossible. In fact, treating infections with multiple, broad-based antibiotics can lead to further antibiotic resistance.
Eliminating a “Flying Blind” Approach to Fighting Infections
Dr. Roach has developed a low-cost, paper-based test that uses simple blood cultures to identify bacteria species within an hour. The test also reveals any major genes contributing to its antibiotic resistance. This information makes all the difference in effectively treating an infection, and, potentially, saving a patient’s life. It also could propel research forward in the global fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
“My goal is to give clinicians the information they need to use the tools they have. If you know what infection you are dealing with, antibiotics that already exist can often be used effectively,” says Dr. Roach.
His paper-based diagnostic tool applies a gene detection technology — specific high-sensitivity enzymatic reporter unlocking (SHERLOCK) — which was developed at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard but has primarily been used on viruses before now. The new bacteria testing strip, named BADLOCK — bacteria and anti-microbial resistance detection by SHERLOCK — requires only a simple piece of lab equipment, a heat block that is like a lab-grade hot plate. This means the BADLOCK technology has the potential to help in many lower-resource settings throughout the world, including in the U.S., where specimens often need to be shipped hundreds of miles for processing.
“Making sure the test is fast, cheap and simple was essential,” says Dr. Roach. “We’ve been able to do that.”
The Largest Research Study of Its Kind
In addition to developing BADLOCK, Dr. Roach is working to better understand the behavior of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Recently, Mass General’s Center for Global Health (CGH) awarded Dr. Roach funding for a key aspect of this work: gathering and sequencing the genes of hundreds of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from Peru. This study — the largest ever conducted in Peru — will get to the heart of how the bacteria are developing resistance and how they are spreading. This could have major implications for infectious diseases worldwide.
The CGH award — supported in part through philanthropy — has helped to strengthen the research infrastructure in Peru and established a collaboration between three Peruvian hospitals that will be essential as they fight antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections throughout the country.
A Chance at Innovator of the Year
BADLOCK has caught the attention of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, which awarded Dr. Roach the Innovation in Diagnostic Technologies prize in 2024. This makes him one of three finalists who will compete to be named the 2024 Innovator of the Year — which includes funding and an acceleration package of startup coaching and comprehensive support to bring the innovation into clinical use.
If you would like to vote to help Dr. Roach and BADLOCK win the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s 2024 Innovation in Diagnostic Technologies prize, click here to vote before October 18.
To learn more about Mass General’s Center for Global Health and Dr. Roach’s research, contact us.
