# Quantitative Lateral Flow Assay for Meropenem Determination: A Proof-of-Concept Study

## TL;DR

A new lateral flow test was developed to quickly measure Meropenem levels, offering faster antibiotic monitoring for patients.

## Contribution

A novel competitive lateral flow assay using a beta-lactam receptor protein for Meropenem quantification is introduced.

## Key findings

- The LFA showed strong correlation with Meropenem concentrations (R² = 0.9537).
- The method uses BlaR-CTD and biotinylated BSA–Meropenem conjugated to gold nanoparticles.
- The platform supports rapid, point-of-care monitoring and potential use for other beta-lactams.

## Abstract

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is essential for optimizing
antibiotic
dosing, particularly in critically ill patients. However, conventional
methods, such as LC/MS, have long turnaround times, limiting timely
dose adjustment. We developed a novel competitive lateral flow assay
(LFA) format with dual test lines previously validated for vancomycin
and adapted it for Meropenem quantification. Using BlaR-CTD, a beta-lactam
receptor protein, in place of an antibody and biotinylated BSA–Meropenem
conjugated to gold nanoparticles, the LFA produced a concentration-dependent
change in test line intensities. A custom image analysis algorithm
showed strong correlation with Meropenem concentrations (R
2 = 0.9537). The platform demonstrates the potential for
rapid, point-of-care antibiotic monitoring across diverse healthcare
settings. While further optimization is needed for low-concentration
accuracy, this proof-of-concept supports broader applicability to
other beta-lactams.