The hospital authority in Hong Kong is planning to utilize smart technology to address a noticeable increase in the spread of antibiotic-resistant germs — such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococci bacteria and the fungus ‘Candida auris’.
According to a report released by the “South China Morning Post” on November 24 and cited by the authority, there has been a rise in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms or superbugs on the island due to the allocation of resources aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years. Dr. Raymond Lai, the chief infection control officer at the authority, informed journalists:
Prescriptions for broad-spectrum antibiotics have significantly increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a rise in the development of strong antibiotic-resistant germs. Based on reports, the resistance rate of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci to antibiotics increased from 0.22% in 2021 to 1.2% in 2023. The number of patients carrying these bacteria also rose from less than 40 in 2021 to around 140 by the end of September 2023.
After its discovery in Hong Kong in 2019, cases of Candida auris infections have notably spiked, rising from nearly 200 cases in 2020 to over 300 cases by October 31, 2023. Doctors warn that about 10% of those infected with this fungus could develop severe infections, posing a risk to their lives ranging from 53% to 83.3%.
To tackle this issue, the hospital authority will launch an artificial intelligence pilot program at the Prince of Wales Hospital in January 2024. It will also be implemented at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung. The AI will analyze clinical data to determine the need for antibiotic recommendations. The program will start with one common type of antibiotic, then expand to include eight other types and involve 17 public hospitals.
This is not the first time artificial intelligence is being used to combat the issue of antibiotic resistance. In May 2023, AI aided the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and researchers from McMaster University in identifying a new antibiotic that can kill bacteria resistant to many drugs, known as “Acinetobacter baumannii”.
