Talking Bacteria: How Quorum-Sensing Works

According to CDC's 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Report, pre-pandemic in the U.S., more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occurred each year. Resulting in more than 35,000 human deaths per year as a result.

Ever the supporter of innovation and with many a vet geek in our pack, after meeting with Ed Goluch last year we knew we had to get him on to one of our webinar sessions to discuss Quorum-Sensing Molecules (QSM) and how bacteria talk! Talking bacteria, Ed effortlessly walked us through how quorum-sensing works.

Quorum sensing is a bacterial cell to cell communication process that involves the production, detection, and response to extracellular signaling molecules. Bacteria "talk" to each other, using a chemical language that lets them coordinate defense and mount attacks.

QSM exists in many organisms. Fungal Quorum sensing was described in 2001 when Farnesol was found Candida Albicans. Roundworms and other parasites produce a whole host of unique immunoregulatory proteins that interact with each other and the host.

Bees produce pheromones that act as QSM for communication in their hives.

Modern Infection Diagnostics

On a mission to modernise infection diagnostic QSM Diagnostics founder and CEO uses QSM to empower veterinarians and pet owners alike with its ability to deliver test results prior to an in clinic visit, thus helping to reduce the workload but also better match antibiotics, driving down usage and inevitably helping to fight the ongoing battle of resistance.

In a recent webinar with Drs Thom Jenkins, Donita McCants and Aaron Smiley, Ed Goluch explained how our modern day ‘One Health’ stance to pet guardianship and increased interaction with pets in all areas of the household is seeing an upturn in cross contamination between pets and people, the over use of often blindly prescribed antibiotics and the increased resistance to antibiotics in humans as well as their fur family!

Increased Resistance to Antibiotics

We are seeing the same increased resistance of antibiotics in pet health as we have done in human health. Antibiotic resistance is accelerated by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, as well as poor infection prevention and control. Veterinary professionals such as Aaron Smiley and Donita McCants are keen to see steps taken across both medical communities and at all levels of society to reduce the impact and limit the spread of resistance.

The National Institute of Health reports that The rapid emergence of resistant bacteria is occurring worldwide, endangering the efficacy of antibiotics, which have previously transformed medicine and saved millions of lives. Quorum-sensing works as an effective way to help fight back against increased resistemce to antibioti

Diagnostics Keeping Pets Happy and Healthy

Understanding the importance of keeping pets healthy and happy Ed and his team have worked tirelessly to create a comprehensive line of bacteria testing services for pets, both in-clinic and mail-in. Using state-of-the-art testing kits to provide fast results, veterinary professionals can now make informed decisions about your patients' health quickly and confidently.

Further Learning and more info on Quorum-Sensing Molecules and the way Bacteria Talks, why not request to watch on demand here.

Ed Goluch Bio Ed Goluch, PhD – Founder, QSM Diagnostics Inc. Ed Goluch is the founder and CEO of QSM Diagnostics, makers of the Otter eQ laboratory instrument platform and FetchDx mail-in testing kits. Prior to QSM, Ed was a tenured professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Northeastern University. Before joining Northeastern, Ed was a NSF Postdoctoral Fellow in the Bionanoscience Department at Delft University in the Netherlands. Ed earned his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and he has over 60 publications and several patents in the areas of sensors, microfluidics, and biophysics. His interdisciplinary background in chemical, mechanical, and biological engineering allows him to connect concepts from various disciplines to provide unique solutions to complex problems.

What is QSM Diagnostics?

QSM Diagnostics offer state-of-the-art testing kits that are easy to use and provide fast results, ensuring that you can make informed decisions about your patients' health quickly and confidently. And with our innovative in-clinic testing option, you can offer same-day results to your clients, enhancing the overall experience and improving their trust in your clinic.

How to Facilitate QSM Diagnostics

Mobile practices such as Dr Donita’s Mobile Veterinary Concierge use the QSM mail in test kits to cut down on having to travel back and forth to client’s homes with whom she has a VCPR.

QSM can also be incorporated into wellness plans as part of the package of services it includes for preventive health care services that your pet needs to stay happy and healthy.

Wellness plans are a great way to uplift your client's usage. To learn how your clients would benefit from our paperless PetsApp Wellness Plans book a demo today.