For many Australians, the journey to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal (GI) issues can be a long and frustrating one. With symptoms that are often debilitating and disruptive to daily life, finding answers is crucial. Now, a revolutionary diagnostic tool is offering hope to those with hard-to-diagnose GI diseases, and it comes in the form of a little blue box.
Microba, a biotechnology company in Australia, has developed the MetaPanel Metagenomic testing solution, a world-first in the realm of GI diagnostics. This innovative test is designed to detect elusive GI pathogens and assist in crafting more precise and effective treatment plans.
The statistics are startling: up to 47 per cent of patients who visit their GPs with GI complaints leave without a resolution. The MetaPanel test aims to significantly reduce this number, providing relief and answers to those in need.
Since its launch in clinical practices across the country over a year ago, the MetaPanel has already made a significant impact. Approximately 20 per cent of patients with chronic GI symptoms have received a diagnosis thanks to this cutting-edge technology.
‘It is the world’s most comprehensive test for GI infections [and] it covers 175 targets,’ Associate Professor Lutz Krause, Microba’s chief scientific officer, explained. This includes an impressive array of 115 DNA pathogens and 60 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene families, many of which are undetectable by other existing tests.
The process is straightforward: a clinician orders the MetaPanel test for a patient, who then provides a faecal sample. This sample is analysed for the presence of these pathogens, and the results, along with a comprehensive report, are sent back to both the clinician and the patient. These findings are then used to pinpoint the cause of the GI symptoms and develop a targeted treatment or management strategy.
‘We have many case reports of patients that went through all kinds of examinations—colonoscopy, endoscopy, CT scans… they’ve been on a range of different drugs without getting any resolution,’ Krause said. ‘In around 20 per cent of those patients that I just described, we are able to identify a pathogen that is missed by standard care.’
This test is particularly beneficial for patients with persistent GI symptoms that have not been resolved through other tests, such as those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In Australia, an estimated 180,000 individuals live with IBD, which includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and Colitis. With more than 91,000 people experiencing active disease and the incidence of IBD on the rise globally, Australia is seeing an increasing number of people seeking and receiving diagnoses.
Dr David Wood, Microba’s chief technology officer, has dedicated years to developing this technology and is enthusiastic about its potential to change lives. ‘For a clinically meaningful subset of patients with these chronic conditions, they’re getting a new answer that potentially resolves the condition,’ Wood said.
An early review of the first 278 MetaPanel samples supports the utility of the test in diagnosing difficult-to-detect GI pathogens and identifying clinically relevant AMR genes. This little blue box could be the key to unlocking the mystery of many Australians’ GI ailments, offering a new avenue for those who have been suffering for months or even years without a resolution.
This groundbreaking advancement in GI diagnostics offers new hope for those struggling with unresolved symptoms. As research and technology continue to evolve, tools like the MetaPanel test could play a crucial role in improving healthcare outcomes.
Have you ever encountered challenges in getting clear answers about a health concern? What are your thoughts on the potential impact of this new testing solution? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.
Also read: Breakthrough drug offers hope for improved vision in severe eye condition
