Latest Trends and Modern Technology in the Diagnostics of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is emerging as a global threat, claiming millions of lives due to therapeutic failures. For a long time, the detection of AMR has been confined to conventional culture methods, which are tedious and resource-demanding. This results in delays, inaccuracies, or misdiagnoses, worsening the burden of AMR worldwide. Thus, the need of the hour is for rapid, feasible and accurate diagnostic methods that use novel technologies for the precise detection of resistant strains and degrees of resistance among different microbes. This will aid healthcare providers in combating this hidden pandemic. Aim: To extensively analyse and report on the evidence and gaps in the current trends in diagnosing AMR. Materials and Methods: The present scoping review obtained information on newer diagnostic approaches for AMR by reviewing 491 articles retrieved from scientific databases like Google Scholar and PubMed. Based on the eligibility criteria for this review, 13 scientific research articles were included. The filtration process involved three levels: title screening, abstract screening and full-text screening. The articles selected after full-text screening were independently analysed by the authors and the collected data were scrutinised by other authors of this study. The extracted data were categorised and represented using tables, charts, figures and graphs. The entire manuscript was written in adherence to the reporting guidelines of the PRISMA-2020 extension for scoping reviews. Results: The selection process yielded 13 articles that met the eligibility criteria. The predominant method for diagnosing AMR is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. Most diagnoses were conducted using samples from urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections. Automated amplification tools have proven to diagnose AMR rapidly and cost-effectively compared to conventional culture methods. Conclusion: Given the rapidly spreading AMR, newer, faster and more accurate modes of diagnosis should be developed to combat this hidden pandemic. Compared to traditional culture methods, genome amplification and Point-Of-Care (POC) techniques have proven to be beneficial and superior. Therefore, measures should be taken to advance these molecular techniques to broaden the scope of newer AMR diagnostics.