The World is Running Out of Effective Antibiotics

In the global race against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and related healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), we provide diagnostic solutions that quickly and accurately identify pathogens to enable the right isolation and treatment before it's too late.
Join us in the race - MORE results, LESS spread.

True Scale of the AMR Threat

By the year 2050, it is estimated that 10 million people will die annually because of drug-resistant infections.1 Following recently published data in the landmark Lancet GRAM report, we know we are now far closer to this figure than ever realised.2

AMR Stats

COVID-19: AMR Legacy

The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated concerns over AMR and antibiotic-associated adverse events, with surges in antibiotic prescribing, hospitalizations, and drug-resistant bacterial transmissions.6,7

hospital admitted patients with secondary infection - 6.9%

COVID-19 hospital-admitted patients with a secondary bacterial infection.6

COVID-19 hospital-admitted patients who received antibiotics - 72%

COVID-19 hospital-admitted patients who received antibiotics.6

COVID-19 ICU-admitted patients who received antibiotics.

COVID-19 ICU-admitted patients who received antibiotics.8

Future Preparedness

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, PCR testing emerged as the superior assay format in terms of accuracy and sensitivity, forming the backbone of nationwide screening regimens.9

Most hospital laboratories now have the capability, awareness, and even the infrastructure to carry out molecular testing, so that shifting from culture- to molecular-based workflows to accelerate turnaround times is more feasible than ever before.

Outbreak Risks

Superbug outbreaks and AMR pose one of the greatest challenges to the healthcare systems, and national elective recovery plans. With the right test, quickly and accurately identify pathogens in under one hour* to enable the right isolation and treatment, keeping wards open, reducing hospital costs, and stopping the spread of resistance.

Outbreak Risks Graph

Cost breakdown from a single outbreak of a rapidly spreading superbug, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), which exceeded €1,000,000 over 10 months.10

Fight AMR & Superbugs with Fast & Accurate PCR in ~1 Hour*

On-demand identification with the GeneXpert® system's fast PCR Xpert® tests help healthcare professionals reduce onward transmission of resistant bacteria throughout the patient pathway and optimize appropriate therapy management, helping prevent the spread of pathogens and resistance.

AMR & Superbugs
AMR bed icon

Ensure the right patient is in the right bed with the right treatment for better patient outcomes

AMR-patient in mask icon

Rapidly identify carrier status to limit transmission and guide prescribing for optimised stewardship

Hospital icon

Standardise quality PCR diagnostic access across healthcare networks for reduced health inequalities

Testing in 3 Easy Steps: Sample-In, Answer-Out Technology

1

Insert swab into sample reagent vial and break

2

Transfer sample to cartridge

3

Insert cartridge and start test

Refer to the Cepheid test’s package insert for full details of supported sample types and specimen collection methods

Product Resources

AMR Info Brochure

GeneXpert Systems Brochure​

CE-IVD Xpert Test Menu

CPE Literature Bibliography

Related Webinars

Related Publications

Related Videos

PCR Tools to Fight AMR

Xpert® Carba-R

Xpert® Carba-R

Detection and differentiation of KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP-1, and OXA-48 in 50 minutes
Xpert® C. difficile BT

Xpert® C. difficile BT

Detection of Clostridium difficile infection with an independent call-out of binary toxin and differentiation of the 027 strain in around 45 minutes
Xpert® vanA/vanB

Xpert® vanA/vanB

Rapid VRE screening for active outbreak prevention and control in around 48 minutes
Xpert® MRSA NxG

Xpert® MRSA NxG

Active MRSA surveillance testing in around 70 minutes
Xpert® SA Nasal Complete

Xpert® SA Nasal Complete

Pre-surgical S. aureus and MRSA in about 65 minutes
Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra

Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Rifampin resistance-associated mutations in 80 minutes

References

CE-IVD In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device. May not be available in all countries.
* Turnaround times vary by test. See individual Product Inserts for specific turnaround times.
^ For positive MRSA results with early assay termination. Otherwise, full runtime is 70 minutes.
# For positive Norovirus results with early assay termination. Otherwise, full runtime is 90 minutes.

  1. World Healt Organization (WHO). 2019. New report calls for urgent action to avert antimicrobial resistance crisish. Accessed March 2022. https://www.who.int/news/item/29-04-2019-new-report-calls-for-urgent-action-to-avert-antimicrobial-resistance-crisis
  2. Murray C, et al. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. The Lancet. 2022 Feb;399(10325):629-655
  3. WHO. 2017. The World is Running Out of Antibiotics, WHO Report Confirms. Accessed Sep 2023. https://www.who.int/news/item/20-09-2017-the-world-is-running-out-of-antibiotics-who-report-confirms
  4. ECDC. 2019. Antimicrobial Resistance: Tackling the Burden in the European Union. Accessed Feb 2023. https://www.oecd.org/health/health-systems/AMR-Tackling-the-Burden-in-the-EU-OECD-ECDC-Briefing-Note-2019.pdf
  5. MedTech Europe. 2014. Healthcare-Associated Infections Brochure. Accessed Feb 2021. https://www.medtecheurope.org/resource-library/hai-brochure/
  6. Langford B, et al. Bacterial co-infection and secondary infection in patients with COVID-19: a living rapid review and meta-analysis. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2020 Dec;26(12):1622-1629
  7. Belvisi V, et al. Impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coro navirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) pandemic on carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) prevention and control program: convergent or divergent action? J Hosp Infect. 2020 Dec;109:29-31
  8. Pritchard M, et al. International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium, COVID-19 Report: 8 June 2020. medRxiv. Accessed Feb 2021. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343217999_ISARIC_COVID-19_Clinical_Data_Report_8_June_2020
  9. Laboratory testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in suspected human cases: interim guidance, 19 March 2020. Accessed November 2022. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331501
  10. Otter J, et al. Counting the cost of an outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: an economic evaluation from a hospital perspective. CMI. 2016 Oct;23(3):188-196.