Advancements in microfluidic technology for rapid bacterial detection and inflammation-driven diseases

Bacterial detection is pivotal for the timely diagnosis and effective treatment of infectious diseases. Microfluidic platforms offer advantages over traditional methods, including heightened sensitivity, rapid analysis, and minimal sample volume requirements. Traditional clinical methods for bacterial identification often involve extended processing times and necessitate high pathogen concentrations, resulting in delayed diagnoses and missed treatment opportunities. Microfluidic technology overcomes these limitations by facilitating rapid bacterial identification at lower biomass levels, thus ensuring prompt and precise treatment interventions. Additionally, bacteria-driven inflammation has been associated with the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer. Elucidating the complex interplay between bacteria, inflammation, and disease is essential for devising effective disease models and therapeutic strategies. Microfluidic platforms have been used to construct in vitro disease models that accurately replicate the intricate microenvironment that bacteria-driven inflammation affects. These models offer valuable insights into bacteria-driven inflammation and its impact on disease progression, such as cancer metastasis and therapeutic responses. This review examines recent advancements in bacterial detection using microfluidics and assesses the potential of this technology as a robust tool for exploring bacteria-driven inflammation in the context of cancer.