Health New Zealand (Commonwealth Union) – A group of international researchers is urgently advocating for intervention and heightened surveillance of drug-resistant pathogens in Oceania, spurred by a critical study on a deadly disease.
In a groundbreaking research effort recently published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, experts hailing from educational, research, and healthcare institutions in New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Australia delved into the study of Acinetobacter baumannii, a life-threatening pathogen that exhibits antibiotic resistance (CRAb), within Pacific hospitals.
Sakiusa Baleivanualala, the lead author from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago and the College of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences at Fiji National University, emphasizes the limited knowledge available regarding the transmission of CRAb in the Oceania region.
Mr. Baleivanualala points out that CRAb can instigate infections in the bloodstream, urinary tract, and lungs. Due to its resistance to medical treatments, these infections pose significant challenges for effective management, increasing the risk of disease transmission, severe illness, and mortality. The World Health Organization has classified it as a pathogen of critical concern, underlining the urgent need to comprehend its transmission patterns and resistance mechanisms for the sake of global public health.
Through the analysis of CRAb strains detected in hospitals in Fiji and Samoa, in comparison to those found in hospitals in New Zealand, Australia, and India, the researchers unveiled concerning discoveries. These findings included a significant presence of CRAb in Fiji and Samoa, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue. Additionally, the study revealed resistance to antimicrobials, underscoring the imperative for the development of new treatment strategies. Furthermore, evidence of CRAb transmission within hospitals in Fiji and Samoa was identified, necessitating enhanced infection control measures. Alarmingly, the research also demonstrated the ineffectiveness of some common hospital disinfectants against these strains, pointing to the need for improved infection control practices. Lastly, the study highlighted the trans-national movement of CRAb strains, particularly between India, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Samoa, highlighting the global scope of this pressing health concern.
Mr. Baleivanualala indicates that the study’s findings underscore the gravity and intricacy of the CRAb challenge, necessitating urgent and collaborative intervention on both a multidisciplinary and international scale. He acknowledges the unwavering commitment of Fiji and Samoa’s healthcare systems to delivering top-notch care, yet emphasizes that antimicrobial resistance is a global concern. He hopes that this research will serve as a catalyst for inspiring positive changes in addressing this issue worldwide.
“Knowledge empowers communities to advocate for better healthcare policies and practices. This should serve as a call to action for better infection control practices and antimicrobial stewardship around the world,” said Mr. Baleivanualala.
The researchers are now advocating for a comprehensive approach to tackle this issue effectively. Professor James Ussher, from Otago’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, underscores the urgent necessity for immediate action. He warns that the increasing prevalence of CRAb in healthcare settings in Fiji and Samoa is akin to a ticking time bomb that could have catastrophic consequences if not addressed promptly.
The proposed actions encompass several key strategies: the implementation of programs to guide the judicious use of antibiotics, the reinforcement of antimicrobial resistance surveillance, the establishment or enhancement of stringent infection control measures within healthcare facilities, the initiation of public awareness campaigns addressing antimicrobials and resistance, and the promotion of a multifaceted approach to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Dr. Donald Wilson, Associate Dean of Research at Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences (CMNHS), underscores the research as a testament to the potency of international collaboration in addressing critical global health issues.
“Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue – it transcends geographical and political boundaries. We hope this study lays the groundwork for broader public health initiatives, both within the Oceania region and globally, as well as serving as a model for further research and policy action aimed at mitigating the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance,” said Dr. Wilson.
