by A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health has shed light on the effectiveness of commonly prescribed antibiotics for treating severe bacterial infections in children in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The study utilized a Bayesian Weighted Incidence Syndromic Combination Antibiogram (WISCA) model to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, particularly for the vulnerable pediatric population. Newborns, in particular, are at a higher risk, with sepsis being a major contributor to AMR-related fatalities, primarily in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
However, there is a lack of detailed data on infection rates and resistance patterns in LMICs, especially in Asia. Challenges such as culture-negative bacterial infections make it difficult to prescribe targeted treatments, leading to increased reliance on empirical antibiotics.
The WISCA model has been introduced to help determine appropriate antibiotic coverage for specific syndromes by taking into account prevalent bacteria and their resistance patterns. However, further research is needed as empirical antibiotic regimens based on global policies may not adequately address the specific bacterial pathogens and evolving rates of AMR in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. This can result in ineffective treatments and increased mortality in children.
The study conducted a systematic literature search across various databases to gather data on bacterial pathogens relevant to neonatal and pediatric bloodstream infections (BSIs) and meningitis in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. The search focused on studies conducted between 2011 and 2021.
The findings of the study revealed that neonatal sepsis and meningitis were predominantly caused by Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli, while Streptococcus pneumoniae was the leading cause of pediatric meningitis. The study also found that certain pathogens were more common in specific countries, such as E. coli in China and Klebsiella spp. in India.
The study provided estimates on antibiotic coverage for different syndromes, including neonatal sepsis, neonatal meningitis, pediatric sepsis, and pediatric meningitis. The coverage estimates varied for different antibiotics, with carbapenems showing optimal coverage. However, the overuse of carbapenems can contribute to the development of AMR, emphasizing the need for region-specific treatment guidelines and more robust data.
The study highlights the need to reassess the effectiveness of current WHO-recommended antibiotic regimens for pediatric infections in Southeast Asia. It underscores the urgency to optimize antimicrobial stewardship and develop new treatments for multi-drug resistant infections in children. Tailored and targeted approaches to antibiotic treatments are necessary to combat AMR effectively in this vulnerable population.
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- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
