Canadian Scientists Develop Rapid, Accurate Test for Early Detection of Sepsis

Canadian researchers have unveiled a new blood test and portable diagnostic device that can detect the early onset of sepsis more rapidly and accurately than current methods.

Published today in Nature Communications, the test boasts over 90% accuracy in identifying patients at high risk of developing sepsis. This marks a significant breakthrough in how clinicians may soon diagnose and treat this life-threatening condition.

“Sepsis is responsible for around 20% of global deaths,” said Dr. Claudia dos Santos, the study’s lead author and a critical care physician at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. “Our test has the potential to be a game changer, enabling doctors to intervene early—before patients begin to deteriorate.”

Sepsis occurs when the body has an extreme and damaging response to infection, causing the immune system to attack its own organs and tissues. If not treated quickly, it can result in organ failure and death. Early diagnosis remains a challenge, as symptoms are often vague and nonspecific, and existing tests can take up to 18 hours, often requiring specialized laboratories. Every hour of delay in treatment increases the risk of death by nearly 8%.

AI-Powered Gene Signature Offers New Hope

Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Sepset, a UBC-affiliated biotech company, analyzed blood samples from over 3,000 hospitalized patients with suspected sepsis. Using machine learning, they identified a unique six-gene expression pattern—named “Sepset”—that accurately predicted the onset of sepsis before it was clinically diagnosed. Further validation using 248 samples and the common RT-PCR testing method demonstrated a 94% accuracy rate in detecting early-stage sepsis in patients on the verge of deterioration.

“This underscores the power of artificial intelligence in decoding complex biological data and creating highly accurate predictive models,” said co-author Dr. Bob Hancock, professor at UBC and CEO of Sepset.

Introducing PowerBlade: A Bedside Sepsis Detection Device

To bring this technology to the point of care, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) developed PowerBlade—a compact, portable device that analyzes a single drop of blood using an automated process. In testing with 30 patient samples, PowerBlade achieved 92% accuracy in identifying high-risk patients and 89% accuracy in ruling out those not at risk. Results were delivered in under three hours.

“This device enables timely sepsis detection in any setting—from emergency rooms to remote healthcare facilities,” said Dr. Hancock.

Dr. Teodor Veres of NRC’s Medical Devices Research Centre and co-director of the Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT) emphasized the collaborative innovation behind the device. “By integrating engineering, biology, and medicine, CRAFT is delivering fast, accessible diagnostics that can transform patient care.”

Toward Commercialization and Real-World Impact

The research team, including UBC research associate Dr. Evan Haney, is now moving toward commercial development of the Sepset test. “These tools give clinicians a crucial head start, enabling them to act before the patient’s condition worsens,” said Dr. Haney.

Together, these advancements signal a major leap forward in sepsis detection—potentially saving lives by enabling faster, more targeted care.

Source: https://news.ubc.ca/2025/05/rapid-bedside-test-predicts-sepsis-with-over-90-percent-accuracy/