| abstract |
Fluidic devices and related methods are generally provided. The fluidic devices described herein can be used, for example, for diagnostic purposes (eg, to detect the presence of one or more disease-causing bacteria in a patient sample). Unlike some existing fluidic devices used for diagnostic purposes, the fluidic devices and methods described herein can be used to detect the presence of multiple disease-causing bacteria in a patient sample substantially simultaneously (eg, in parallel). In some embodiments, the fluidic devices and methods described herein provide for microorganisms in relatively large fluid samples (eg, 0.5 mL to about 5 mL) compared to certain existing fluidic detection (eg, microfluidic) devices and methods highly sensitive detection. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection sensitivity of microbial pathogens present in a patient sample (eg, blood) is improved by selectively removing human nucleic acids prior to sensitive detection of microbial infection. In some embodiments, the fluidic device allows the identification of microbial pathogens directly from untreated blood without having to perform a blood culture process. |