P-13 Early detection and response: The importance of rapid syndromic diagnostics in the control of communicable disease in UK Caribbean territories.
Author(s):
M Dryden , J Lee , N Wright , M St Hill , T Skerritt , A Siebs , C Blake, A Andrewin
Year of Presentation:
2024
Objective: Many of the UK overseas territories are small with limited microbiological diagnostic capacity for pathogens and antimicrobial resistance detection. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the particular vulnerability of these territories for the emergence of novel infections and antimicrobial resistance. The UKHSA program with its territory partners implemented rapid syndromic molecular diagnostics aiming to improve the speed of diagnosis for patient management and public health detection and response.
Methods: Diagnostic capacity was enhanced with the local implentation of closed molecular systems (Biofire, GeneXpert). Local laboratory staff were trained in the use of infection, sexually transmitted disease, HPV and tuberculosis, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. the diagnostics, and guidance was provided to clinicians. Syndromic diagnoses included were enteric, respiratory, bloodstream, neurological.
Results: Each territory now has access to syndromic diag- nostic platforms. Rapid detection has enabled early diagnosis to support timely patient management, infection prevention and early public health intervention and reporting. The diagnostic range and speed has been significantly enhanced. This presentation will describe clinical vignettes where these innovations have delievered significant improvement to healthcare.
Conclusion: Previously undiagnosed conditions, can now be identified rapidly in territory, allowing appropriate clinical management, infection prevention, improved antimi- crobial stewardship and rapid public health response. This technology is simple to operate and maintain with little scope for user error. The work continues to develop territory early diagnostic methods in antimicrobial resistance, global fever conditions and vector borne disease to strengthen local preparedness in communicable disease and public health response, backed up by regional reference facilities (CARPHA).