Point of care antimicrobial susceptibility testing

Given the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), there is an urgent clinical need for faster, near-patient antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) solutions. Standard AST methods usually need pure bacterial isolates, with results available in at minimum 18–24 h, leading to a total turnaround time (TAT) of 1–3 days. Financial pressures from healthcare insurers, technological advancements, and the involvement of private investors have changed the laboratory landscape. This trend, together with the ongoing centralization of microbiological laboratories, has led to longer diagnostic TATs. The development and use of point-of-care testing (POCT) devices capable of delivering diagnostic and AMR results have the potential to improve patient outcomes, decrease hospital stay, lower healthcare costs, and improve antimicrobial stewardship. However, widespread adoption remains challenging due to technical complexities, limitations in pathogen detection, high costs, and regulatory barriers. The aim of this review is to outline the current state of affairs in AST focusing on POCT devices from the pre-clinical stage to commercial launching.