(Press-News.org) Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) have used artificial intelligence (AI) to help identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The team led by Adrian Egli, UZH professor at the Institute of Medical Microbiology, is the first to investigate how GPT-4, a powerful AI model developed by OpenAI, can be used to analyze antibiotic resistance.
The researchers used AI to interpret a common laboratory test known as the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test, which helps doctors to determine which antibiotics can or can’t fight a particular bacterial infection. Based on GPT-4, the scientists created the “EUCAST-GPT-expert”, which follows strict EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) guidelines for interpreting antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. By incorporating the latest data and expert rules, the system was tested on hundreds of bacterial isolates, helping to identify resistance to life-saving antibiotics.
Human experts are more accurate – but AI is faster
“Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat worldwide, and we urgently need faster, more reliable tools to detect it,” says Adrian Egli, who led the study. “Our research is the first step toward using AI in routine diagnostics to help doctors identify resistant bacteria more quickly.”
The AI system performed well in detecting certain types of resistance, but it wasn’t perfect. While it was good at spotting bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics, it sometimes flagged bacteria as resistant when they were not, leading to possible delays in treatment. In comparison, human experts were more accurate in determining resistance, but the AI system could still help standardize and speed up the diagnostic process.
Useful tool to support medical staff
Despite the limitations, the study highlights the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. By offering a standardized approach to the interpretation of complex diagnostic tests, AI could eventually help reduce the variability and subjectivity that exists in manual readings, improving patient outcomes.
Adrian Egli emphasizes that more testing and improvements are needed before this AI tool can be used in hospitals. “Our study is an important first step, but we are far from replacing human expertise. Instead, we see AI as a complementary tool that can support microbiologists in their work,” he says.
Curbing the global development of antibiotic resistance
According to the study, AI has the potential to support the global response to antibiotic resistance development. With further development, AI-based diagnostics could help laboratories worldwide improve the speed and accuracy of detecting drug-resistant infections, helping to preserve the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.
END
AI helps to detect antibiotic resistance
2024-10-17
[Attachments] See images for this press release:
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Scientific conference series aims to improve outcomes for diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease
2024-10-17
WASHINGTON—The Endocrine Society, a global organization that promotes endocrinology research and clinical practice, and Keystone Symposia, a nonprofit host of conferences and symposia on a range of life science and biomedical topics, will jointly host a series of three conferences to advance endocrine research.
The three conferences will focus on diabetes, oncology and cardiovascular disease—hormone-related conditions that have a major impact on public health. The conference series is slated to launch in late 2026 or early 2027 and will run ...
Quantum research breakthrough uses synthetic dimensions to efficiently process quantum information
2024-10-17
Quantum research breakthrough uses synthetic dimensions to efficiently process quantum information
The discovery, at INRS, of a synthetic photonic lattice capable of generating and manipulating quantum states of light, offers promising prospects for a variety of applications, from quantum computing to secure quantum communication protocols.
A study co-directed by Professor Roberto Morandotti of Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in collaboration with teams from Germany, Italy, and Japan opens the door to cutting-edge solutions ...
Putting out a brain on fire
2024-10-17
Imagine you wake up in a hospital without a single memory of the last month. Doctors say you had a series of violent episodes and paranoid delusions. You’d become convinced you were suffering from bipolar disorder. Then, after a special test, a neurologist diagnoses you with a rare autoimmune disease called anti-NMDAR encephalitis. This is what happened to Susannah Cahalan, a New York Post reporter who would go on to write the best-selling memoir Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness.
Anti-NMDAR encephalitis can lead to hallucinations, blackouts, and ...
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists discover fastest degrading bioplastic in seawater
2024-10-17
Woods Hole, Mass.(Oct. 17, 2024) — Scientists at the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have been working for years to find out what types of plastics have the shortest and longest lifespans in the ocean, and what types of plastic products, like straws and food wrappers, most commonly contribute to plastic pollution. With more biodegradable materials being developed , like cellulose diacetate (CDA)—a plastic-like polymer derived from wood pulp—researchers are racing to ensure they can replace traditional plastics without causing harm to ocean ...
Penn engineering research discovers critical vulnerabilities in AI-enabled robots
2024-10-17
(October 17, 2024) - Philadelphia, PA - Rapid advancements across industries from healthcare, technology, finance and beyond present novel opportunities as well as challenges. As part of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science’s (Penn Engineering) commitment to develop leading-edge solutions that provide a better future for all, the School is bringing together today renowned leaders in engineering, academia, industry and policy for a dialogue on responsibly shaping ...
New study reveals strawberries as a powerful ally for heart health
2024-10-17
With cardiovascular disease remaining a leading cause of death worldwide, a new study has highlighted strawberries as a natural and delicious way to support heart health and manage cholesterol. This research revealed significant health benefits associated with regular consumption of strawberries between (1 and 4 cups per day), particularly in improving cardiometabolic health.
Conducted by researchers from the University of California, Davis and funded by the California Strawberry Commission, the literature review, published in the September 2024 issue of ...
Forever Chemicals found in bottled and tap water from around the world
2024-10-17
Scientists have discovered toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ present in samples of drinking water from around the world, a new study reveals.
Researchers found 10 ‘target’ PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) – chemicals which do not break down in nature – in tap and bottled water available for consumption in major cities in the UK and China. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were detected in over 99% of samples of bottled water sourced from 15 countries around the world.
They observed significant differences in PFAS concentrations between tap water samples from Birmingham, UK, and Shenzhen, China, with Chinese tap ...
Researchers Identify Gene Linked to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
2024-10-17
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and debilitating fatigue define the daily lives of millions of people worldwide who suffer from chronic bowel disease. Most of these individuals are diagnosed in their youth, and the disease’s progression can vary significantly, leaving patients uncertain about what the future holds. For some, ulcerative colitis is a manageable condition, while for others, it leads to frequent hospitalizations, complex medication regimens, and multiple surgeries.
Now, researchers from the Center for ...
New report shows pathway to telecommunications resilience in Australia
2024-10-17
Australia is taking proactive steps to enhance the resilience of its telecommunications sector, according to a world-first report from The Australian National University (ANU).
Several recent high-profile outages, contrasted with the near seamless shift to remote work during the pandemic, have shown how telecommunications resilience significantly impacts all Australians with stakes that are higher than ever before.
Telecommunications underpins our lives from global commerce and emergency services to healthcare and national security and energy and transportation.
Despite its ...
Initial prescriptions of sedatives among older stroke survivors may include too many pills
2024-10-17
Research Highlights:
Within 90 days after having an ischemic (clot-caused) stroke, about 5% of stroke survivors ages 65 and older were prescribed benzodiazepines (depressants that relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, produce sedation and reduce seizures) for the first time.
More than half of the new prescriptions of benzodiazepines were written for a supply of 15 to 30 days, rather than the smaller number of pills for short-term, as-needed use.
The study also found that women were more likely than men to receive an initial prescription ...