Local trials target antibiotic overuse

Deakin University are leading Geelong-based trials on two new tests for bacterial infections, with the potential to significantly reduce the overuse of antibiotics.

Trials are now under way across several Geelong general practice clinics to help diagnose and treat common respiratory illnesses.

The two tests – a simple finger prick and a throat swab test – can both provide immediate information on whether a patient’s infection is bacterial and requires antibiotics, or viral, and alternative treatment is needed.

Dr Sajal Saha from Deakin’s School of Medicine and Barwon Health’s partnered Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR) said the tests could help clinicians more accurately diagnose the cause of infection and allow for better targeted treatment.

“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 over prescription in Australia.

“It is a simple, low-cost test and early results from two GP clinics in Geelong show it can reduce antibiotic use by up to 30 per cent.”

Mr Saha said antibiotics were too often prescribed for viral illnesses and for less severe infections which did not need antibiotics.

The throat swab test being trialled in Geelong 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 per cent of cases.

“But strep A is only responsible for around 15 to 20 per cent of sore throats so the level of overprescription is very high.

“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 more serious illness.”

CIIDIR co-director Eugene Athan said both trials had the potential to significantly improve safe antibiotic use.

“Australia is one of the highest antibiotic prescribing countries in the developed world.

“The unnecessary use of antibiotics – taking them when not needed, for longer than required or an incorrect dose – causes antibiotics to become ineffective over time, a phenomenon called antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“AMR is making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease, severe illness and deaths. It’s the cause of death for 700,000 people worldwide each year.”

A pilot in 2025 involving up to 400 patients will further assess the two tests’ effectiveness in reducing antibiotic use.