New Point of Care Tests to Help Reduce Overuse of Antibiotics

The misuse of antibiotics—such as taking them unnecessarily, for too long, or in incorrect doses—leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making infections harder to treat and increasing the risks of severe illness and death. AMR causes 700,000 global deaths annually, and many people either expect antibiotics from doctors or misuse them by not following prescribed dosages. Doctors face challenges in prescribing antibiotics due to diagnostic uncertainty, patient self-diagnosis, and limited resources. Now, two new tests for bacterial infections could help reduce the overuse of antibiotics for common respiratory illnesses.

Researchers at Deakin University (Victoria, Australia) are leading trials of the two new tests involving a simple finger prick or throat swab that provide immediate results to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. This can enable more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. In international trials conducted earlier, the finger prick test has already shown promise, while early results from the latest trial indicate a reduction of antibiotic use by up to 30%. This test can help doctors determine if common respiratory infections are bacterial or viral, ensuring antibiotics are only prescribed when necessary.

Image: The trials have the potential to significantly improve the safe use of antibiotics and reduce AMR (Photo courtesy of Deakin University)

The second test, a throat swab, allows doctors to quickly identify if a sore throat is caused by Strep A bacteria, a common source of throat infections. Despite Strep A being responsible for only 15 to 20% of sore throats, antibiotics are often overprescribed in 70% of cases. Proper diagnosis and early treatment are critical, especially in children, as Strep A can lead to severe complications like rheumatic heart disease. This throat swab test will optimize antibiotic treatment for Strep A. A feasibility trial conducted in 2024 with 200 patients across five clinics, followed by a pilot trial in 2025 with 400 patients, aims to further assess the test’s effectiveness in reducing antibiotic overuse. Both these trials hold the potential to significantly improve the responsible use of antibiotics.

“This work is trying to improve the capacity of GPs and community pharmacists with point-of-care diagnostic testing services,” said Dr. Sajal Saha, Research Fellow in the Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research. “This will help prescribers better understand the severity of infections or confirm bacterial infections for some respiratory infections during patient consultations and prescribe antibiotics accordingly.”

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Deakin University