blAST – CytoSPAR

What is blAST?

blAST is a Bio-Labeled Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test (AST) that uses award-winning click chemistry to analyze antimicrobial sensitivity directly from urine samples.

Can AST be done in less
than 24 hours?

blAST is a direct urine phenotypic AST that provides single-shift results in ~6 hours.

blAST bypasses the need for a growth phase and eliminates standard culture timelines. The simplified laboratory workflow provides actionable, accurate, and reliable AST results from metabolically-active pathogens.

How does direct sample phenotypic AST work?

blAST provides phenotypic information:

Protein synthesis reflects viability
- Live pathogens synthesize protein
- Dead or inhibited pathogens do not
Antimicrobial activity suppresses protein synthesis
- Effective therapy reduces metabolic activity
- Resistance preserves it
Bio-labeling measures protein synthesis directly
- Click chemistry tags newly synthesized proteins
- Signal suppression defines susceptibility
- Same-shift phenotypic MIC
- No microbe replication required

blAST uses an organism's own protein metabolism to create a fluorescent signal from pathogens that are still viable after being treated with antimicrobial agents. This signal can be measured on a fluorescent plate reader and used to calculate MIC.

Can you use direct phenotypic AST for infections like cUTI?

blAST provides personalized results at the time of infection, eliminating culture bias and treatment delays from standard culture and isolation methods.

Targeted and Effective

Precisely identifies the most effective antimicrobial reducing trial and error.

User-Friendly

Straight forward, non-invasive testing for patients and providers.

Reduces Recurrence

Starting the right antimicrobial early, lowers the risk of infection return.

Eliminates Culture

No bias from monomicrobial growth or culture conditions.

Follow-up Testing

Enables ongoing adjustment of treatments for optimal outcomes.

Quick Decisions

Delivers results in ~6 hours, expediting treatment initiation.

Safety

Minimizes unnecessary antimicrobial exposure and potential side effects.

Global Application

Aids in the battle against resistance by promoting appropriate antimicrobials.

Comparative Advantage

	CytoSPAR BLAST	Industry Standard
Tests Direct from Urine Sample	✓
Bypasses Growth Phase for Analysis	✓
Determines MIC	✓	✓
Direct Result Delivery to Provider	✓
Results in ~6 hours	✓
Objective Results	✓
Works on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria	✓	✓

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