Rapid microbial detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing

1. A method for measuring the growth of a plurality of individual microorganisms in a sample comprising: contacting said sample with a biosensor comprising:

a concentration module;

at least one detection surface; and

concentrating said individual microorganisms onto said detection surface,

wherein each said individual microorganism binds to said detection surface in spatially discrete sites;

allowing said individual microorganisms to grow for a first period of time; and

detecting growth of individual microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising adding at least one bioactive agent during said growth conditions.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein a plurality of bioactive agents are added.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said agent(s) are added after a first growth period.

5. A method according to claim 4 further comprising measuring growth of said individual microorganisms prior to said addition of said agent(s); and measuring growth of said individual microorganisms after a second growth period in the presence of said agent(s).

6. A method according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said agent(s) are added prior to said first growth period.

7. A method for measuring the growth of a plurality of individual microorganisms in a sample comprising: contacting said sample with a biosensor comprising:

a concentration module; and

at least one detection surface;

concentrating said individual microorganisms onto said detection surface, wherein each said individual microorganism binds to said detection surface in spatially discrete sites;

allowing said individual microorganisms to a grow for a first period of time; adding at least one bioactive agent to said microorganisms;

allowing said individual microorganisms to grow for a second period of time;

detecting growth of individual microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein a plurality of bioactive agents are added.

9. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said concentration module utilizes a method selected from the group consisting of electrophoresis, centrifugation, filtration and dielectrophoresis.

10. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said detection surface comprises a plurality of individual detection sites.

11. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said detection surface comprises selective capture ligands.

12. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said detection surface comprises a nonspecific surface.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said plurality of individual detection sites each comprise a different selective capture ligand.

14. A method according to claim 11 wherein said plurality of individual detection sites each comprise a non-specific surface.

15. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein the identity of at least one microorganism is established.

16. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said detecting is done by monitoring alterations in the physical area on said surface associated with an individual microorganism as it grows.

17. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said detecting is done by detecting the presence of daughter cells at said spatially discrete sites.

18. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said detecting further comprises adding a label, and said detection is done by monitoring alterations in the binding of said label to said individual microorganism as it grows.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said label is a mortal stain.

20. A method according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said biosensor comprises a plurality of channels, each comprising a detection surface.

21. A method according to claim 1 , 7 or 19 wherein said biosensor further comprises a plurality of storage modules.

22. A method according to claim 20 wherein said storage modules each comprise a different bioactive agent.

23. A method of diagnosing a microbial infection in a patient comprising:

providing a matrix of time versus kill curves for a panel of antimicrobial agents against a panel of microorganisms;

contacting a sample from said patient with a biosensor comprising:

a concentration module; and

at least one detection surface;

concentrating patient individual microorganisms from said sample on said detection surface, wherein each said patient individual microorganism individually binds to said detection surface in spatially discrete sites;

detecting the growth of said patient individual microorganisms in the presence of said panel of antimicrobial agents;

identifying at least one of said patient individual microorganisms by comparing its growth to said matrix.

24. A method for the identification of individual microorganisms in a sample comprising:

contacting said sample with a biosensor comprising:

a concentration module; and

at least one detection surface;

concentrating said individual microorganisms onto said detection surface, wherein each said individual microorganism individually binds to said detection surface in spatially discrete sites;

subjecting said individual microorganisms to a first growth period; adding at least one antimicrobial agent to said detection surface;

subjecting said individual microorganisms to a second growth period;

detecting alterations in growth of individual microorganisms after the addition of said agent;

and identifying at least one of said individual microorganisms on the basis of susceptibility to said agent.

25. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the detection of one or more divisions of individual microorganisms into two microorganisms is an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.