Rapid microbial detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing

A method for measuring the growth of a plurality of individual microorganisms in a sample comprising:

• contacting said sample with a biosensor comprising:
• a concentration module;
• and
• at least one detection surface;
• concentrating said individual microorganisms onto said detection surface, wherein each said individual microorganism binds to said detection surface in spatially discrete sites;
• allowing said individual microorganisms to a grow for a first period of time;
• adding at least one bioactive agent to said microorganisms;
• allowing said individual microorganisms to grow for a second period of time;
• detecting growth of individual microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.

A method of diagnosing a microbial infection in a patient comprising:

• providing a matrix of time versus kill curves for a panel of antimicrobial agents against a panel of microorganisms;
• contacting a sample from said patient with a biosensor comprising:
• a concentration module;
• and
• at least one detection surface;
• concentrating patient individual microorganisms from said sample on said detection surface, wherein each said patient individual microorganism individually binds to said detection surface in spatially discrete sites;
• detecting the growth of said patient individual microorganisms in the presence of said panel of antimicrobial agents;
• identifying at least one of said patient individual microorganisms by comparing its growth to said matrix.

A method for the identification of individual microorganisms in a sample comprising:

• contacting said sample with a biosensor comprising:
• a concentration module;
• and
• at least one detection surface;
• concentrating said individual microorganisms onto said detection surface, wherein each said individual microorganism individually binds to said detection surface in spatially discrete sites;
• subjecting said individual microorganisms to a first growth period;
• adding at least one antimicrobial agent to said detection surface;
• subjecting said individual microorganisms to a second growth period;
• detecting alterations in growth of individual microorganisms after the addition of said agent;
• and identifying at least one of said individual microorganisms on the basis of susceptibility to said agent.