Aims and Objectives

Given the amount of research and investment in the field of novel diagnostics and biomarkers, it is predicted that provision of medicine in the future will be transformed. The main aims of novel diagnostics and biomarkers are not only to recognise infection and/or sepsis, but also to assist in triaging patients with regards to avoiding admission, ward admission, intensive care admission and even prognosis and predicting outcome.

Another aspect of novel diagnostics and biomarkers is to improve antibiotic stewardship in clinical settings. Therefore, this working group aims to: 

• Organise educational meetings and provide educational material on the application of novel diagnostics and biomarkers in clinical practice e.g. antibiotic stewardship and/or triaging.
• Promote a “network” to collect data from those centres that use novel diagnostics and/or biomarkers and audits of good practice with regards to novel diagnostics and biomarkers.
• Develop practice guidelines or recommendations for a correct approach in applying these novel technologies and biomarkers in clinical practice.

We hope that the group’s work will result in a closer collaboration among international experts who can bridge the gap between studies, clinical applications and patients’ needs, thereby improving not only antibiotic stewardship and better quality of patient care, but also in reducing the cost to healthcare systems across the world.

Second AMR & Antimicrobial Stewardship Workshop – Kasese, Uganda

Strengthening Community Action Against AMR

On 31 March 2026, the Great Lakes Peace Centre (GLPC), in partnership with the Rotary Club of Winchester (UK) and funded by the International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC), held its second Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Stewardship Workshop at Rwenzori International Hotel, Kasese.

The workshop convened 50 participants—including nurses, pharmacists, teachers, and Village Health Teams—to build practical knowledge and strengthen community engagement in combating AMR.

Workshop Highlights

1. Understanding Local AMR Challenges

Mr. Masereka Fredrick, Senior Lab Technician at Bwera Hospital, presented global and local AMR trends. He shared data showing high levels of multidrug resistance in the region and outlined key drivers such as antibiotic misuse, poor sanitation, weak regulation, and improper waste management. He emphasized the importance of a One Health approach linking human, animal, and environmental health.

2. Infection Prevention Through Hands‑On Learning

Dr. Nusreen Ahmad, Clinical Scientist at University Hospital Southampton, led interactive sessions using Glo Germ to demonstrate how microorganisms spread through everyday contact. Participants practiced hand hygiene and cleaning techniques, reinforcing infection prevention as a core strategy for reducing antimicrobial use.

3. AMR Education in Schools

Prof. Kordo Saeed, Consultant Clinical Microbiologist and ISAC representative, highlighted the essential role of schools in AMR awareness. He encouraged integrating AMR topics into curricula and emphasized the wider community impact when students become informed health ambassadors.

4. Vaccination as a Tool Against AMR

Masika Fatinah, Executive Director of GLPC, presented GLPC’s Hepatitis B vaccination programme. She outlined how vaccination, awareness, and stigma reduction reduce infection rates and limit unnecessary antibiotic exposure, contributing to AMR prevention.

GLPC’s Role

GLPC coordinated all workshop activities and mobilized participants from across Kasese, demonstrating its commitment to community‑driven AMR awareness and public health education.

Key Takeaways & Recommendations

• Continued need for AMR education, especially in schools
• Strengthening WASH practices to reduce infection spread
• Promoting responsible antibiotic use
• High demand for AMR learning materials for pupils
• Ongoing partner support needed to reach hard‑to‑access communities

Acknowledgements

GLPC extends appreciation to:

• Winchester Rotary for collaboration
• ISAC for financial support
• All facilitators and participants for their contributions

Hear participants' feedback on the session:

Read the summary of Part One of the AMR Workshop, held in 2025

Webinars

Human Challenge Studies in Vaccine Development: Expert Insights on AMR

 Rapid diagnostics and strain typing in the era of antimicrobial resistance

Rapid diagnostics & biomarkers at the heart of patient management

Future / Ongoing Activities

Our ideas for the coming years are to organise coordinated (reviews or audits or quality improvement projects or even video lectures) related to biomarker incorporation to clinical practice for example in any of the following areas:

• How to make sure point of care tests are complementary to medical microbiology and part of their overall diagnostic package. This can be challenging to achieve; however, it can be done through coordination and also registration for surveillance among the working group.
• When to use biomarker testing versus targeted testing. (Writing reviews) 
• How does lateral flow assays impact on what we do clinically? (Writing reviews)
• For resistance markers, do we still need to know the bug? (Writing review)

Publications

How are rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases used in clinical practice: a global survey by the International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC)
Poole, S, Townsend J, Wertheim et al on behalf of the ISAC Rapid Diagnostic and Biomarkers Working Group
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020

Hot topics on procalcitonin use in clinical practice, can it help antibiotic stewardship?
Saeed K, del Castillo JG, Backous C et al.
Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2019;54:686-696.