RESEARCHERS at Deakin University are leading trials of two new tests for bacterial infection that have the potential to significantly reduce the overuse of antibiotics prescribed to treat common respiratory illnesses.
The trials, which took place in Geelong GP clinics last year, involved a simple finger prick or throat swab that provided immediate results about whether a patient's infection is bacterial, and requires antibiotics, or viral, and different treatment is needed.
"The finger prick test has been trialled internationally, but we don't have the data needed to show its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in reducing antibiotic overprescription in Australia," said Dr Sajal Saha from the Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR).
"It is a simple, low-cost test and early results show it can reduce antibiotic use by up to 30%."
The second test currently being trialled in five GP clinics across Geelong is a throat swab that enables doctors to confirm within minutes whether a sore throat is caused by Strep A bacteria.
"Strep A is a common cause of throat infection and doctors prescribe antibiotics in around 70% of cases.
"But Strep A is only responsible for around 15 to 20 percent of sore throats, so the level of overprescription is very high," Dr Saha said.
"In children, Strep A can lead to rheumatic heart conditions so it is absolutely vital that it is properly diagnosed and treated early and effectively before it develops into a more serious illness.
"This throat swab test will ensure optimal antibiotic treatment."
CIIDIR Co-Director, Professor Eugene Athan, said both trials had potential to significantly improve the safe use of antibiotics, pointing out that Australia is one of the highest antibiotic prescribing countries in the developed world.
The unnecessary use of antibiotics - whether taking them when not needed, for longer than required or in an incorrect dose - can lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
"AMR is the cause of death for 700,000 people worldwide each year," Prof Athan said.
"Compared to national guideline recommendations, antimicrobials continue to be overprescribed in Australia, with 30 to 50% of prescriptions in primary care inappropriate either in choice, dose or duration," he pointed out.
A larger study of the two tests will be conducted this year. KB
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