Rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing system: Life saving bioMEMS devices

For the prompt prescription of patients suffering from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis or bloodstream infection, a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test (RAST) is highly necessary. This paper describe rapid antibiotic susceptibility test system composed of biochips and automated expert system, which can determine the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria and mycobacteria derived from various parts of body. With RAST, antibiotic susceptibility was available in six hours, which was conventionally taking more than two days. Device design consideration, clinical verification, commercialization, and application of RAST system to infectious diseases are reviewed.