Rapid test for detecting dangerous bacteria   

By The Holland Times Tuesday 16 August 2011, 12:08

The National Institute for Public Health and Environment, RIVM has developed a rapid test for detecting the bacterium Klebsiella. From today, test will available to all Dutch hospitals.

RIVM researchers went to work after the recent outbreak of a resistant form of the bacteria in the Maastad Hospital in Rotterdam. So far, 80 patients have been infected and a reported 2,000 more are at risk.

“It was essential to quickly bring together the right people and resources so that we were able to respond to the potential spread of this multi-resistant bacterium among patients in Dutch hospitals," said Hajo Grundmann, epidemiologist at the RIVM. 

According to researchers, the new test can determine whether a person is infected within hours. Thus, a patient can undergo treatment sooner and measures can be taken to immediately prevent the spread of the Klebsiella bacteria.

Not all patients in all hospitals must be tested. At the moment, the focus is only on patients who spent time at the Maastad Hospital and are suspected of coming in contact with the bacterial.