To counteract the surge of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, Hong Kong’s health authorities are turning to artificial intelligence (AI). The Hospital Authority has observed a troubling increase in drug-resistant strains, such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci, with antibiotic resistance rates climbing from 0.22% to 1.2% in two years. In tandem, the presence of the fungus Candida auris has escalated, with carriers potentially facing high mortality rates from invasive infections.
Dr. Raymond Lai, the Hospital Authority’s chief infection control officer, highlighted the strain on isolation wards due to COVID-19, which inadvertently paved the way for these multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) to thrive. The overprescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics during the pandemic has exacerbated the issue, fostering a breeding ground for resistance.
To address this, the Hospital Authority is set to deploy an AI system in January 2024 at two major hospitals. This AI will scrutinize clinical data to assess the necessity for antibiotic prescriptions, initially focusing on a single antibiotic before expanding its scope. This strategy mirrors global efforts, such as the AI-assisted discovery of a potent antibiotic by researchers at MIT and McMaster University earlier this year.
Hong Kong’s foray into AI underscores a commitment to harnessing technology in the battle against superbugs, aiming to safeguard patient health and curb the spread of these formidable pathogens.
