The Centres for Antimicrobial Optimisation Network (CAMO-Net) recently hosted an event in São Caetano do Sul, Brazil, to officially launch its new antimicrobial guide for primary care. This guide is a crucial component of the network’s intervention in the city, aimed at promoting antimicrobial stewardship. Over the coming months, a series of actions will be carried out to enhance antibiotic management in the region, focusing on education and collaboration.
The event was attended by key figures, including the mayor of São Caetano do Sul, the rector of Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul, and healthcare professionals from the region. The entire CAMO-Net Brazil group was present to unveil the guide, which was designed to provide primary care workers with critical tools to improve antibiotic use and combat resistance.
A guide for primary care professionals The antimicrobial guide covers a wide range of infections and provides detailed information on best practices for prescribing antibiotics. It addresses common conditions treated in primary care, such as respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin conditions like impetigo.
The guide also emphasises the importance of involving all healthcare professionals in antimicrobial management and highlights the environmental impact of improper antibiotic disposal, urging healthcare workers to follow proper protocols to reduce bacterial resistance.
Why the guide is important
The close relationship between antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance is well-established, and the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics remains a global challenge. With 80 to 90% of antimicrobials prescribed in primary care, improving practices at this level is essential. Professor Anna Sara Levin, Professor of Infectious Diseases and CAMO-Net Brazil co-lead, explained:
“To improve antibiotic use in primary care, we have to understand the context, involve health professionals beyond the doctors, and engage patients. São Caetano is like an enormous lab where we will evaluate our strategy to improve antibiotic use and measure its consequences for patients and for the environment.”
The development of this guide involved input from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals in primary care to ensure its practical usability. This collaborative approach guarantees the guide’s maximum optimisation in everyday healthcare settings, as professionals across the board—beyond just prescribers—play a role in antimicrobial management.
What is CAMO-Net?
CAMO-Net is a global research partnership focused on addressing the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and optimising the use of antimicrobials in humans. Funded by Wellcome Trust, the network comprises five national hubs located in Brazil, India, South Africa, Uganda, and the UK, alongside technical support centres in Ghana, Malawi, and Thailand. CAMO-Net’s mission is to improve the global ecosystem for antimicrobial research, with a special focus on equitable collaborations and local leadership.
The network’s work involves producing guidelines, tools, and practices that are relevant to specific contexts and can be readily implemented across different healthcare settings. The ultimate goal is to enhance antimicrobial stewardship by improving clinical decision-making, creating sustainable solutions, and ensuring the appropriate use of antibiotics. CAMO-Net also places emphasis on mutual learning across regions, knowledge sharing, and co-production of activities to strengthen research capacity.
For more information on CAMO-Net’s work and the new guide, visit the CAMO-Net website.
