Mission in a Minute

When outdoor temperatures start to decline, the occurrence of colds, flu and pneumonia tends to rise. If left undiagnosed, pneumonia – an infection of the lungs – can lead to severe complications, especially for young children, people 65 and older, and individuals with preexisting health conditions.

To improve patient outcomes, Thermo Fisher develops several tests to detect the presence of M. pneumoniae, the leading cause of pneumonia hospitalizations in children and the second leading cause for adults, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹.

While antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial pneumonia, the rise of antimicrobial resistance has made healthcare providers more cautious about their use. To aid in this effort, Thermo Fisher offers comprehensive antimicrobial susceptibility testing. These tests enable clinicians to assess how resistant a particular bacterium is to specific antibiotics, ensuring that the most effective treatment is prescribed.