Rapid Diagnostics in Antimicrobial Stewardship: Present and Future Opportunities

Rapid diagnostic technologies (RDTs) for infectious diseases (ID) have risen in popularity and development over the last several years. The goal of these platforms is to detect causal bacteria faster and target antimicrobial therapy sooner, resulting in better patient outcomes. Rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) can identify infectious organisms quickly and accurately, and it's an important part of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes. However, in Asia Pacific, their use is less common than in Western countries. Costs might be exorbitant, especially in areas with limited resources. Differentiating bacterial from viral infections and identifying regionally relevant tropical diseases will require a targeted approach, maybe focused on the commencement of antimicrobials. More data on RDT use in AMS is needed across Asia Pacific, with an emphasis on the effects on antimicrobial usage, patient morbidity and death, and cost effectiveness. Furthermore, regional consensus statements to guide clinical practise are necessary in the absence of explicit guidelines. These will include a regionally applicable definition for RDT, a deeper understanding of its function in infection management, advice on implementation and overcoming challenges, and recommendations for maximising human resource capacity. The outcomes of AMS programmes should improve as a result of resolving these challenges.

Author(s): Ennevia Ommations*

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