Each November, World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week reminds healthcare professionals of a global crisis that continues to outpace medical innovation. Antimicrobial resistance – the ability of pathogens to withstand treatment – has transformed from a looming threat into a persistent clinical reality. For pathologists and laboratory medicine professionals, the challenge is clear: diagnostics are not just tools for detection, but vital instruments for stewardship, surveillance, and prevention.
Accurate and timely diagnosis remains the cornerstone of antimicrobial stewardship. By identifying both pathogen and resistance profile, laboratories guide clinicians toward targeted therapy – reducing the misuse of broad-spectrum agents that drive resistance. Techniques such as rapid molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) now allow earlier and more precise detection of resistant organisms, shortening the window between infection onset and appropriate treatment.
In many clinical settings, particularly resource-limited ones, the challenge lies not only in technology but also in access, standardization, and interpretation. A reliable diagnostic system must combine rapid detection with epidemiological insight, enabling infection control teams to act before resistance patterns spread.
Pathologists also play a central role in AMR surveillance networks, contributing data to national and global initiatives such as the WHO’s GLASS (Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System). Integrating clinical microbiology with epidemiology allows for early warning of emerging resistance genes. Ultimately, cross-disciplinary collaboration between laboratories, infection control teams, and public health agencies ensures that diagnostic intelligence translates into actionable prevention strategies.
Over the past few months, we’ve spoken with various healthcare experts in AMR, learning of the efforts to combat resistance. Natasha Ratnaraja showcased a Royal College of Pathologists report on diagnostic leadership in AMR; Tatum Mortimer opened our eyes to viability and resistance testing for improved AMR and gonorrhea diagnostics; and Robin Patel shared her experience in combatting persistent bottlenecks with modern diagnostics.
It’s clear that progress is being made and recent innovations are reshaping how laboratories detect resistance mechanisms. Molecular assays can now identify resistance genes directly from clinical samples, bypassing culture and saving critical hours. Automated systems integrate susceptibility testing with AI-driven analytics, predicting resistance trends across hospital networks. These diagnostic improvements, when combined with genomic surveillance data, are helping institutions map transmission pathways and adapt treatment guidelines in real time.
World AMR Awareness Week underscores the diagnostic community’s vital role in combating resistance – not only through identifying pathogens, but also by informing stewardship and shaping policy. As technology evolves, the emphasis must remain on speed, accuracy, and accessibility – ensuring that every diagnostic result leads to better care and stronger antimicrobial preservation.
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