UB launches pioneering test for early detection of sepsis in animals
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in both humans and animals, caused by a pathological inflammatory response to infection. A team from the University of Barcelona (UB) is participating in a new public-private consortium, led by Loop Diagnostics, to develop an early diagnostic test for sepsis in animals based on the method the company has already developed for human use. This is a pioneering technology, as there are currently no effective commercial solutions for early detection of this condition in veterinary practice.
“This test aims to detect sepsis in the initial stages of infection in various animal species, providing an innovative and efficient solution to improve animal health and welfare,” emphasizes Marc Suñé Pou, Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Drug Development Service (SDM) at UB, who has led UB’s participation as principal investigator.
Early diagnosis for better treatment
Sepsis progresses rapidly, making early detection crucial for effective treatment. Methods used in humans, such as blood cultures or C-reactive protein measurement, are not routinely employed in veterinary medicine due to low sensitivity and high costs.
“Currently, veterinarians identify sepsis based on visible symptoms such as lethargy, fever, or respiratory distress, which typically indicate an advanced stage of the disease and reduce recovery chances. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop new diagnostic solutions in this field,” notes Suñé Pou.
Loop Diagnostics has developed an in vitro test that detects sepsis in humans in just one hour from a blood sample. This technology uses a completely novel approach: it does not directly detect pathogens or inflammatory biomarkers in blood, but instead analyzes the immune system’s specific response during sepsis.
“By detecting biomarkers associated with the immune response specific to sepsis, it is possible to identify infection earlier and more accurately than with conventional bacterial identification techniques or standard inflammatory biomarkers, allowing for timely intervention,” the research team explains.
The project will leverage all knowledge gained from developing the human-use test to design a version adapted for animals, initially targeting common pets: dogs, cats, and horses. Once validated in these species, the aim is to extend the technology to animals intended for human consumption, with significant potential benefits for both animal and public health.
“The ability to diagnose sepsis early and accurately will enable more targeted and specific treatments, reducing the indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. This will contribute to combating antimicrobial resistance and improve the safety of animal products intended for human consumption,” says Suñé Pou.
From biomedical research to veterinary practice
The technology has already proven effective in human patients and has passed initial proof-of-concept tests in animals. Laboratory studies have confirmed that the molecular pathway enabling sepsis detection in humans is also present in various animal species, validating the feasibility of adapting the test for veterinary use.
Over the next three years, the consortium will work to adjust and optimize the technology for animals. Loop Diagnostics will develop the antibodies and ELISA-type test strip to detect the biomarker in blood, while the UB team will perform the formulation development of the reactive kit capable of triggering the controlled immune response needed for accurate biomarker measurement.
Once development is complete, the new test will be evaluated in veterinary clinics under real-world conditions.
“These studies will confirm its reliability and diagnostic accuracy in animals with sepsis and compare the results to current methods,” concludes the research team.
The project, titled “Development of a Multi-Species Infection Diagnostic Test (SeptiVet)”, has a duration of three years and reference CPP2024-011546. The University of Barcelona has received funding of €252,820 under the 2024 public-private collaboration projects call, financed by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Spanish State Research Agency, and FEDER funds.
