bioMérieux demonstrates diagnostics to fight antibiotic resistance at ASM

May 21, 2014

In vitro diagnostics provider bioMérieux featured a comprehensive group of solutions to enable more efficient treatment for a range of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi at the just-concluded annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). bioMérieux representatives showed attendees a range of solutions to help curb antimicrobial resistance, including culture media, molecular biology, automated pre-analytical systems, clinical informatics, and an FDA-cleared microbiology mass spectrometry system.

During the ASM meeting, bioMérieux highlighted novel biomarkers such as its VIDAS B.R.A.H.M.S. PCT, which supports detection of systemic inflammation and evaluates whether therapy is impacting procalcitonin levels; its mass spectroscopy-based VITEK MS, which provides microbial identification of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and yeasts; its VITEK 2 and Etest, which deliver antibiotic sensitivity results; BioFire’s FilmArray molecular panel, which enables rapid identification of respiratory illnesses, sepsis, and infectious diarrhea; and its Myla clinical informatics system. The company also participated in a public awareness program and several “Meet the Experts” sessions.

According to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) global report on Antibiotic Resistance (AR), AR has now become a serious, worldwide threat to public health. The report provides a comprehensive picture of antibiotic resistance, with data from 114 countries, and reveals that this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future. It is happening right now.

“This report further reinforces bioMérieux’s long-term commitment for a prudent and appropriate use of antibiotics around the world,” says Alexandre Mérieux, Chief Executive Officer, bioMérieux. “More than ever, we are taking the WHO’s call to action very seriously and reaffirming our objective to develop innovative solutions that combat the persistent threat from infectious diseases and provide new weapons against emerging resistance. Read more about the WHO report on antibiotic resistance.

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