The American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH) Annual Meeting is an international forum for the exchange of scientific and clinical advances in tropical medicine, hygiene and global health. The scientific content this year is 53% microbe focused, 15% clinically focused, 13% vector focused, 13% globally focused, and 6% intervention focused.
MSF and Epicentre are presenting on access and other challenges for children with visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, hurdles in malaria diagnostic testing, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare in conversations about financial sustainability.
This collection features research authored by the presenters and other topics highlighted at ASTMH.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health crisis, especially in countries with fragile health systems, population displacement or ongoing conflict. In 2019 antibiotic-resistant bacteria directly caused an estimated 1.27 million deaths, and contributed to 4.95 million deaths, tolls that will continue to increase if no effective action is taken.
MSF’s approach to combatting antimicrobial resistance combines three pillars: infection prevention and control, microbiology and surveillance, and rational use of antibiotics via antibiotic stewardship. Several studies characterize patterns and prevalence of antibiotic resistance among MSF patients, from civilians wounded in Middle East conflicts to hospitalized neonates in Central African Republic and Haiti. New technologies developed by MSF and partners are expanding local capacity for rapid, accurate laboratory diagnosis of infections, so that clinicians can prescribe the right antibiotic for each patient. Other work assesses the practices and challenges related to optimizing rational antibiotic use within health facilities and communities.
If you're interested in learning more about MSF's work in antimicrobial resistance, view the full list of MSF's publications on the topic.
BACKGROUND
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important public health problem, which mainly affects the poor rural dwelling communities in Low- and Middle-Income...
BACKGROUND
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever with few options for diagnosis and treatment; it...
Robust diagnostic tools and surveillance are crucial for malaria control and elimination efforts. Malaria c...