Quality microbiological diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, an essential component of antimicrobial resistance surveillance and control efforts in Pacific island nations

Authors

  • John Kenneth Ferguson School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
  • Jacklyn Joseph Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Samson Kangapu Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Hilda Zoleveke National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands
  • Nicola Townell Infectious Disease Department, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland, Australia
  • Trevor Duke Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Laurens Manning School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Harry Perkins Research Institute, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
  • Evelyn Lavu Central Public Health Laboratory and University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2018.9.3.004

Abstract

Problem: Emerging bacterial antimicrobial (antibiotic) resistance (AMR) is a global threat to human health. However, most 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 antimicrobial-resistant 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.

Author Biographies

John Kenneth Ferguson, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia

Infectious Diseases Physician, John Hunter Hospital, NSW

Microbiologist, Health Pathology NSW

Associate Professor, University of Newcastle

Jacklyn Joseph, Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Pathologist

Samson Kangapu, Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Bacteriology Scientist

Hilda Zoleveke, National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Bacteriology Scientist

Nicola Townell, Infectious Disease Department, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland, Australia

Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases Physician

Trevor Duke, Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Director of the Centre for International Child Health, Melbourne

Adjunct Professor of Child Health in the School of Medicine, UPNG

Laurens Manning, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Harry Perkins Research Institute, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Western Australia, Australia

Infectious Diseases Physician

Evelyn Lavu, Central Public Health Laboratory and University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Director, CPHL

Pathologist

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Published

20-02-2020

How to Cite

1.
Ferguson JK, Joseph J, Kangapu S, Zoleveke H, Townell N, Duke T, Manning L, Lavu E. Quality microbiological diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, an essential component of antimicrobial resistance surveillance and control efforts in Pacific island nations. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2020 Feb. 20 [cited 2024 Apr. 25];11(1). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/656

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2020): January – March

Section

Lessons from the Field

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