Quality microbiological diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, an essential component of antimicrobial resistance surveillance and control efforts in Pacific island nations
10.5365/wpsar.2018.9.3.004
- Author:
John Kenneth Ferguson
1
;
Jacklyn Joseph
2
;
Samson Kangapu
2
;
Hilda Zoleveke
3
;
Nicola Townell
4
;
Trevor Duke
5
;
Laurens Manning
6
;
Evelyn Lavu
7
Author Information
1. School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
2. Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
3. National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands
4. Infectious Disease Department, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland, Australia
5. Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Australia
6. School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Harry Perkins Research Institute, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
7. Central Public Health Laboratory and University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
AMR;
Antimicrobial resistance;
antibiogram;
antimicrobial susceptibility testing;
MRSA;
CPE;
ESBL
- From:
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response
2020;11(1):41-46
- CountryWHO-WPRO
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Problem:Emerging bacterial antimicrobial (antibiotic) resistance (AMR) is a global threat to human health. However,
a majority of lower income countries do not have microbiological diagnostic testing for prompt, reliable confirmation of
bloodstream infection and identification of AMR.
Context:Clinicians in Pacific island nations are increasingly challenged by patients who have infection due to antimicrobialresistant
bacteria. Treatment of infection remains empirical because of a lack of diagnostic testing capacity and may follow
guidelines that were formulated without reference to local measures of AMR prevalence. There is limited understanding
among clinicians of microbiology testing and test interpretation.
Action:Examine the lessons learnt from pilot laboratory development programmes in two Pacific island nations that
focused on establishing standard procedures for micrological diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and
on improving the training of clinicians to increase their use of laboratory services.
Outcome:The pilot programmes addressed a range of logistical difficulties and evaluated two blood culture systems. They
also examined and improved internal QC implementation and evaluated the prevalence of AMR.
Discussion:Continued development of microbiological diagnostic capability in the Pacific region is paramount. Pacific
Island nations need to develop the capability of at least one central laboratory to culture AMR pathogens and subject them
to quality-controlled AST or arrange for suitable referral to a nearby country.
- Full text:wpsar.2018.9.3.004 (Ferguson) 41-46.pdf
