Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance via State-of-the-Art Technologies Versus Conventional Methods

Ayman Elbehiry ^1* Eman Marzouk ¹ Adil Abalkhail ² Moustafa H Abdelsalam ³ Mohamed Ihab ⁴ Mazen Alasiri ⁵ Mai Ibrahem ⁶ Abousree Ellethy ⁷ Abdulaziz Almuzaini ⁸ Sahar N Aljarallah ⁹ Akram Abu-Okail ¹⁰ Husam M Edrees ³

• ¹ College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
• ² Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, 51452 P.O. Box 6666, Saudi Arabia, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
• ³ Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
• ⁴ Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
• ⁵ Pharmacy Department, Armed Forces Hospital, King Abdul Aziz Naval base in Jubail, Jubail 35517, Saudi Arabia, Jubail, Saudi Arabia
• ⁶ Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia, Abha, Saudi Arabia
• ⁷ Department of Basic Oral Sciences and Dental Education, Biochemistry Division, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁸ Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 52571, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁹ Department of Pharmacy sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Dariyah, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• ¹⁰ Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as one of the foremost global health challenges, complicating the treatment of infectious diseases and contributing to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Traditionally, microbiological culture and susceptibility testing methods, such as disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, have been employed to identify AMR bacteria. However, these conventional techniques are often labor intensive and time consuming and lack the requisite sensitivity for the early detection of resistance. Recent advancements in molecular and genomic technologies—such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs), PCR-based diagnostic methods, and CRISPR-based diagnostics—have revolutionized the diagnosis of AMR. These innovative approaches provide increased sensitivity, reduced turnaround times, and the ability to identify genetic resistance mechanisms. This review seeks to examine the advantages and disadvantages of both emerging technologies and traditional methods for detecting AMR, emphasizing the potential benefits and limitations inherent to each. By understanding the strengths and limitations of these technologies, stakeholders, including researchers, healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies, health authorities, financial managers, and patients, can make informed decisions aimed at preventing the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant strains, thereby ultimately increasing patient safety.