Point-of-care diagnostics for infection and antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: A narrative review.
Int J Infect Dis
; 142: 106907, 2024 May.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38141961
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are severely impacted by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Due to gaps in access to diagnostics in SSA, the true extent of AMR remains unknown. This diagnostic gap affects patient management and leads to significant antimicrobial overuse. This review explores how point-of-care (POC) testing for pathogen identification and AMR may be used to close the diagnostic gap in SSA countries.METHODS:
A narrative review exploring current clinical practice and novel developments in the field of POC testing for infectious diseases and AMR.RESULTS:
POC assays for identification of various pathogens have been successfully rolled out in SSA countries. While implementation studies have mostly highlighted impressive test performance of POC assays, there is limited data on the impact of implementation on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. We did not encounter local studies of host-directed POC assays relevant to AMR. Novel POC assays using real-time polymerase chain reaction, isothermal amplification, microfluidics, and other technologies are in various stages of development.CONCLUSIONS:
Available literature shows that POC testing for AMR applications is implementable in SSA and holds the potential to reduce the diagnostic gap. Implementation will require effective regulatory pathways, incorporation of POC testing in clinical and laboratory guidelines, and adequate value capture in existing health financing models.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Antiinfecciosos
/
Antibacterianos
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Infect Dis
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article