Revolutionizing Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing with AI: Day Zero Diagnostics Unveils Keynome gAST

Day Zero Diagnostics Unveils AI-Based Approach to Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

A research team at Day Zero Diagnostics has introduced a groundbreaking new method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to guide analysis. The team presented their findings at ASM Microbe, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, showcasing the results of their study on the new AI-based system.

Known as Keynome gAST (genomic Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test), the system analyzes bacterial whole genomes extracted from patient blood samples, eliminating the need for culture growth. Unlike traditional methods that rely on known resistance genes for analysis, Keynome gAST’s machine learning algorithms autonomously identify drivers of resistance and susceptibility based on a continuously growing database. This database currently includes over 75,000 bacterial genomes and 800,000 susceptibility test results, providing a wealth of data for analysis.

Dr. Jason Wittenbach, director of data science at Day Zero and lead author of the study, described the system as a “first-of-its-kind demonstration of comprehensive and high-accuracy antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance predictions on direct-from-blood clinical samples.” He emphasized the potential impact of rapid machine learning-based diagnostics on revolutionizing treatment, reducing hospital stays, and ultimately saving lives.

The interim findings presented at ASM Microbe were based on studies conducted in four Boston-area hospitals. While the Day Zero team acknowledged the need for further research and the limitations of their study group size, they highlighted the significant advancements in patient outcomes that could result from their AI-based approach. With the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and the urgent need for rapid diagnosis and treatment of sepsis, this new method holds promise for improving patient care.

Funding for the research was provided in part by the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), a nonprofit partnership dedicated to promoting research and development to combat the global threat of drug-resistant bacteria. The support from CARB-X underscores the importance of innovative approaches like Keynome gAST in addressing the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.