A Clinically Oriented Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (ACORN) (360G-Wellcome-215867_Z_19_Z)

Existing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance systems are based mostly on diagnostic microbiology laboratory antimicrobial susceptibility testing results alone, which limits direct assessment and subsequent modelling of the clinically relevant impacts and burden of drug resistant infections (DRI). Tools to capture and analyse AMR data in LMICs are scarce, which hinders engagement with and utilisation of available data. To fill these gaps, the major aim of this project is to develop and test a comprehensive data capture system for patient-focussed AMR surveillance in LMIC settings. Data collected will expand on the pathogen-focussed WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System to enable accurate classification of infection syndromes and outcomes. These data will be of critical importance to estimate syndromic and/or pathogen outcomes and associated costs: i.e. how many people die from DRIs and how much does it cost? Project objectives are to: Establish a framework for patient-focussed DRI surveillance tailored to LMIC settings; Develop and refine tools for AMR data capture, verification, and interactive visualisation; Produce comprehensive diagnostic stewardship and surveillance training materials; Pilot surveillance at two sites in Southeast Asia; Prepare for wider roll out of surveillance at sites across the Wellcome Asia Programme network and beyond.