Multi-Drug-Resistant gram negative bacteria: A Middle Eastern challenge

Experts at the Anti- infective therapies of value for drug resistant organisms' session to discuss challenge of Multi-Drug-Resistant-gram negative bacteria in the Middle East

Abu Dhabi, UAE: “Multi-Drug-Resistant gram-negative bacteria , such as ESBL and KPC, are a huge challenge globally and especially in the Middle East region, where the resistance rates are partially above 50% and the burden in the community is high (10% in the Middle East),” says Dr Florian Brill Managing Director,  Partner GmbH Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany .

Dr Florian will be speaking at the Anti- infective therapies of value for drug resistant organisms, section of the Middle East Healthcare-associated Infections Conference at the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress & Exhibition from 27-29th October 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions.

According to Dr Florian, “there are no new antibiotics on the way into the clinical practice within the next 10 years that may contribute to improve the situation. Therefore, the treatment of these ESBL or KPC-infections is difficult. With an increase in patients there are no antibiotic treatment options therefore, infection prevention and control is the only solution to combat with these pathogens.”

Antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is a major threat to public health. Patients with non-severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are subject to in-hospital intravenous therapy because there are no effective oral drugs available. Resistance to empirical antibiotic therapy results in delayed appropriate antibiotic treatment for severe infections, which is associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stay and higher costs. Further, resistance challenges the achievements of modern medicine, including advanced surgery and immunosuppressive treatment, which are dependent on effective antibiotics.

“International guidelines e.g. from CDC, German RKI, ECDC or ESCMID, can be implemented in the Middle East region. Most of the recommended measurements are related to contact pre-cautions, basic hygiene such as hand hygiene and antibiotic stewardship. These are helpful to reduce the infection rates and save lives,” Highlighted Dr Florian.

Organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibition, the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress & Exhibition is the region's key healthcare event bringing together leading international healthcare companies to showcase their latest products and services within the emergency, primary healthcare, patient safety, nursing and Rehabilitation sectors, as well as being a platform for scientific exchange via the accompanying multi-track conference programme dedicated to these healthcare sectors. The event has expanded to 10,000 sqm, with more than 150 exhibitors from 25 countries, 11CME-Accredited conferences, and an estimated 6000 attendees.

For more information about the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress & Exhibition, please visit www.abudhabimed.com