Page 88 - Hospital Authority Convention 2018

Special Sessions
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2018

SS3.1 Antimicrobial Resistance 14:30 Theatre 2

Innovations in Diagnostics for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance
Peeling R
Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
Diagnostics play a critical role in the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) response. For many clinical syndromes, a simple
rapid test that can be used at the point-of-care (POC) to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections will reduce
inappropriate use of antibiotics. Research on syndrome-based host biomarkers is ongoing with some promising results.
A more critical innovation is to develop a test that would allow providers to discriminate between sensitive and resistant
pathogens at POC as this may facilitate the re-introduction of abandoned first-line therapies and is of considerable economic
benefit. Reducing the use of antibiotics, especially preserving last-line therapies for future generations, should be the key aim
of national AMR strategies. World Health Organization has published a list of priority pathogens for which new antibiotics are
needed and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a list of resistant pathogens which pose a serious
threat to public health. Affordable and accessible diagnostics are urgently needed for the surveillance of pathogens on these
lists so that countries can determine the extent of resistance for each priority pathogen, develop antibiotic stewardship
strategies and monitor the impact of their interventions. While technological innovations are being stimulated by challenge
prizes, such as the UK Longitude Prize, global efforts to set international standards for diagnostic evaluations and develop
innovative mechanisms to accelerate regulatory approval are urgently needed to reduce delay in adoption of diagnostics to
combat AMR and lower costs of market entry, making the final products more affordable.
Monday, 7 May 2018

SS3.2 Antimicrobial Resistance 14:30 Theatre 2

One Health Approach to the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance in Hong Kong
Ng KHL
Infection Control Branch, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) brings significant impact to healthcare settings, and is regarded as one of the most serious
public health threat. It limits clinicians’ choice of antibiotics for treating infections, renders conventional treatment for
common infections ineffective, and increases healthcare burden for treating them. Novel resistance mechanisms continue
to emerge and spread among microorganisms globally and we are on the edge of a post-antibiotic era. The Government
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has launched the Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial
Resistance in July 2017 to tackle the threat of AMR. The action plan includes six key areas under the One Health framework
with considerations from human, animal and environment health aspects.
In this session, the One Health Approach, suggested by the World Health Organization as the preferred approach in
controlling AMR, will be discussed, illustrating the complex interactions between human health, animal health, and the
environment; its relationship with AMR; and the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration for effective AMR control.
Examples of AMR control initiatives will be shared, with the latest results of General Public’s Knowledge, Attitude and
Practice Survey, which shows the view and practice of local general public concerning AMR, and its implication to daily
practices of health professionals will be discussed.

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