What is AMR?

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites mutate or evolve over time and stop responding to medicines. As a result, antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs become ineffective, making infections increasingly difficult, and sometimes, impossible to treat – leading to a rise in infections and reduced efficiency of medication. Prolonged illness, growing healthcare costs and reduced treatment options are some of the imminent effects of AMR. Misuse or overuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobials, both at institutional and individual levels, is said to be the main cause of antibiotic resistance. There are also biological causes like gene transfer and selective pressure that give rise to varied types of antibiotic resistance.

Considering its escalating nature and its potential global impact, AMR poses a risk to public health as well as the global economy. Innovations in med tech are playing a vital role in making marked progress towards combating this public health challenge. From early detection due to state of the art testing and delivering actionable results, to pathogenic surveillance in monitoring global AMR trends, rapid testing is helping create targeted strategies for the management of infectious diseases and better guiding treatment decisions. While there may be a way to go on the journey, game-changing advances in diagnostics and testing are putting us on the right track.

The need for accuracy: ushering in an era of rapid diagnostics

The judicious use of any medication, including antibiotics, requires accurate and detailed diagnosis of the condition to begin with. Rapid diagnostics capabilities have been a boon in combating public health challenges like AMR. They help identify antimicrobial-resistant pathogens to assist healthcare professionals in initiating appropriate treatment thereby supporting antimicrobial stewardship… with the added benefits of a speedy turnaround time and patient safety.  Furthermore, they help to improve diagnostic precision, increase patient education and most importantly, control antibiotic overuse.

Here’s how rapid diagnostics and enhanced testing display immense potential for helping healthcare systems prevent antibiotic resistance:

Monitoring resistance patterns

Current state-of-the-art diagnostic testing can be a game-changer when it comes to identifying emerging resistance trends. It guides healthcare professionals to choose the most effective antibiotic treatment and monitor changes in resistance patterns over time.

Facilitating targeted treatment

Rapid diagnostics enable better identification of the specific pathogen causing an infection and determine its susceptibility to antibiotics. This  helps doctors identify the exact nature of the disease. These data-driven insights can further guide the selection of more suitable and targeted treatments and curb the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which could possibly contribute to AMR development.

Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use

Antibiotics are usually used for treatment of bacterial infections and aren’t effective for viral infections. This is where rapid diagnostics play a key role as they provide timely support in detecting whether an infection is caused by a viral or bacterial pathogen.

Improving infection control

Accuracy-driven rapid diagnostics can assist in identifying imminent outbreaks of infectious diseases. They facilitate a certain level of preparedness and allow for the immediate implementation of control measures to prevent further spread. This further leads to a potential decline in the overall use of antibiotics.

“Today, antibiotics are rarely prescribed based on a definitive diagnosis. Having rapid, low-cost, and readily available diagnostics is an essential part of the solution to this urgent problem.”   – Dr, Margaret Chan, Director General, WHO.

The need for speed (where you need it): POCT

Point-of-care-testing (POCT) also makes timely and accurate testing accessible. They allow for the detection of AMR pathogens on site and help initiate appropriate therapy and treatment, thereby curbing potential antibiotic overuse or misuse. Early identification of AMR is also crucial to limit its spread and ensure appropriate treatment.

The invention of antibiotics is a major milestone in the history of healthcare. They have helped us face a multitude of infectious diseases that were once life-threatening. Antibiotic resistance, however, presents new challenges on this path to progress. Fortunately, innovations in healthcare and health tech, like rapid testing and POCT, are helping global healthcare communities address these challenges at the source. They’re allowing for more relevant and judicious treatment, paving the way for further research to curb AMR and helping improve public health on a global scale.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.