Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-based diagnostic platforms for antimicrobial-resistant pathogen detection

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health issue that complicates infection treatment and increases mortality, healthcare costs, and hospital stays. Conventional diagnostic methods, including culture-based assays and molecular tests, often suffer from long turnaround times, high costs, and the need for specialized laboratory infrastructure. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based diagnostics have emerged as a revolutionary tool for rapid and accurate AMR detection. This review explores the mechanisms and applications of CRISPR biosensors, with a focus on platforms such as Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter UnLOCKing and DNA Endonuclease Targeted CRISPR Trans Reporter, which leverage Cas enzymes for precise nucleic acid detection. These methods offer high sensitivity, specificity, and the potential for point-of-care use, significantly improving AMR surveillance and management. In addition, we discuss the challenges of CRISPR-based AMR detection, including sample preparation, multiplexing, regulatory hurdles, and ethical concerns. Future advancements integrating microfluidics and artificial intelligence may further enhance CRISPR-based diagnostics, making them indispensable in the fight against drug-resistant infections.