Get unlimited access to Bruins cup coverage - Just 99¢

The Boston Globe

Business

Boston.com

New pathogen tests put focus on speed

With serious infections, a quick ID can be critical

By Carolyn Y. Johnson

 |  Globe Staff  

  January 02, 2012

Start-up companies and local laboratories are developing new approaches to efficiently and rapidly identify bacteria, virus or fungus in a patient sample. Initial efforts are focused on the health care setting where a doctor needs to know how to best treat a patient’s symptoms, but currently depend on tests that take days instead of hours to answer basic questions about what is causing an infection. Other potential uses of such technology include monitoring the safety of the food supply and the environment.

Stay with the story. Get full access to BostonGlobe.com for just 99¢

Unlimited access to BostonGlobe.com for only 99¢ for the first 4 weeks. You can cancel at any time.

  • The FULL story all day: Enjoy all of the high-quality, in-depth journalism in the print edition of the Boston Globe — plus breaking news that's updated 24/7.
  • A truly reader-friendly format: It's online news that looks and reads just like the newspaper — uncluttered, uninterrupted.
  • Breakthrough technology: The responsive design automatically adapts content so it always reads perfectly on the digital device of your choice.
Get started today

Free access for home delivery subscribers.

Just need to link your home delivery account; one easy step.

Link my home delivery account

BostonGlobe.comSubscriber Log In

Contact us for help

  • Phone

    888-MY-GLOBE

    Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

    Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 7:30 a.m.- 12:00 noon

  • Chat

    Start a chat

    Monday-Sunday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

  • E-mail

    support@bostonglobe.com