AVAPAR-EPLEX study showcases at ESCMID global congress

David Hettle and Tinashe Mwaturura presented findings from the AVAPAR-EPLEX study on progress in managing neonatal sepsis through improved blood culture processes at the Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID Global), held from 11th to 15th April in Vienna, Austria. Their two presentations highlighted the challenges in delivering excellent diagnostic microbiology in laboratories in low-middle income settings, before outlining several of the adaptations which have been trialed locally in Harare and the progress which these have delivered in offering more accurate and timely diagnostic results.

The congress brought together over 20,000 experts in the fields of in diagnostic microbiology and clinical infectious diseases, covering a vast range of topics and innovations, including significant streams focusing on low-middle income settings. Drawing together experts from across the world, particular focus was placed on antimicrobial stewardship and how best to safeguard antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents in future. Significantly, a study group of ESCMID hosted an inaugural meeting to discuss the practicalities of antimicrobial stewardship in low-middle income settings, with representation from many African countries.

Attending this conference led to many links with healthcare professionals in the field, in particular those who have looked to novel ways to improve lab systems in similar settings to Zimbabwe. David and Tinashe reflected that the use of pre-existing laboratory networks, such as those which work for TB, can likely support broader microbiology work. Also, that the challenges faced in diagnostics in low-middle income settings will only be addressed once the specific, on-the-ground issues are clearly acknowledged, to make sure that context-specific solutions and innovations can be developed. 

David Hettle and Tinashe Mwaturura present progress in managing neonatal sepsis