The Hong Kong Hospital Authority has noted a significant rise in superbug infections among residents, eyeing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to track antibiotic resistance and find new treatments.
The authority confirmed the rise of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and Candida auris, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) or superbugs posing a public health concern, according to a South China Morning Post report.
Dr. Raymond Lai, the authority’s chief infection control officer, told reporters that the MDROs surged in the first three quarters of 2023 compared to previous years. Lai noted that the worrying statistics have several causes, including abuse of antibiotics and the deployment of key resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A significant number of isolation wards were allocated to COVID-19 patients, leaving fewer wards available for those infected with MDROs,” remarked Lai. “Our staff spent a lot of time taking care of Covid-19 patients.”
In 2020, public health records confirmed nearly 200 cases of Candida auris. Still, by 2023, the figure had risen to over 300, with Lai warning of mortality risks surging beyond 80%. For vancomycin-resistant enterococci, data indicates a surge from 40 patients in 2021 to 140 by Q3 of 2023.
To grapple with the simmering public health challenge, the Hospital Authority says it will roll out an AI pilot to identify infection trends and antibiotic resistance. The authority’s new AI pilot is undertaken via a partnership between the two leading hospitals—the Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung and the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin.
There are plans to roll out the pilot to 17 other hospitals in a layered process expected to last for the more significant part of 2024. The AI pilot will supplement the effort of medical personnel in determining the necessity of a particular antibiotic prescription to prevent the creation of resistant superbugs.
Back in May, researchers from McMaster University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) collaborated to leverage AI to develop a novel antibiotic to fight Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacterium with a notorious streak in public health.
AI and medical research
Medical research is increasingly leaning on AI to streamline lab processes, with one study relying on the emerging technology to create new compounds for novel drugs. In August, Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) confirmed a partnership with iCAD to use AI to detect breast cancer, while Meta (NASDAQ: META) is working on a product to create AI-generated images using brain scans.
“Longer term, it may also provide a stepping stone toward non-invasive brain-computer interfaces in a clinical setting that could help people who, after suffering a brain lesion, have lost their ability to speak,” said Meta.
However, skeptics are warning of the risks associated with AI in medicine. Still, enthusiasts are confident that integrating with blockchain technology can mitigate the risks.
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