Time-lapse microscopic imaging
Time-lapse microscopic image analysis using MAC technology is a technique for time-series microscopic imaging of bacteria. The technology can quickly and accurately determine the growth of the bacteria by analyzing the images taken every hour. Various bacterial growth parameters, such as the number of colonies formed within the agarose, and the size change pattern of the colony over time, are assessed through image processing technology with a proprietary algorithm. Based on the growth parameters of bacteria exposed to different concentrations of antimicrobials, the technology can determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and using defined susceptible, intermediate and resistant breakpoints interpret antimicrobial susceptibility.
dRAST is based on Quantamatrix’s patented MAC technology which observes the growth of bacteria immobilized in the gel matrix with microscopic time-lapse imaging. Since it can detect bacterial growth quickly even in the existence of blood cells, the sub-culture process is not necessary. So, dRAST can provide faster results by 2~3 days compared to conventional AST methods which use turbidity that requires sub-culture process. Also, with a wide inoculum acceptance range, there is no need for a process to control the amount of bacteria inoculation (McFarland).
