The Global Burden of Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases affect every country, each facing its own unique challenges and patterns of transmission. Recognizing this challenge, the latest Global Health Research Collaborative (GHRC) seminar was based on the impact of infectious disease on a global scale and how to mitigate its impact on patients, led by Drs. Pranatharthi Chandrasekar and Dr. Muralidhar Varma.
Antifungal Stewardship and Global Health Leadership
The first half of the seminar discussed Antifungal Stewardship, led by Dr. Pranatharthi Chandrasekar, M.D., professor emeritus of Internal Medicine. He has done several global health endeavors and was one of the pioneers for infectious disease subspecialties in India. Additionally, he has started global infectious disease grand rounds, which has brought physicians and scientists in more than 40 countries discussing cases.
Dr. Pranatharthi Chandrasekar’s clinical research interest lies in taking care of patients with cancer and those who undergo transplant. His interest in infectious disease has led him to pursue infectious diseases in the immunocompromised, particularly fungal infectious stemming from mucor, candida. Given that fungal infections are associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality, there remains a need for a stewardship for antifungals. Dr. Chandrasekar defines this as, "A coordinated program of interventions to guide the appropriate use of antifungal medications, aiming to improve patient outcomes, minimize adverse events and drug interactions, combat antifungal resistance and reduce costs”. This entails a multidisciplinary effort.
At its core, antifungal stewardship relies on increasing awareness and education. Dr. Chandrasekar emphasizes that one of the most effective ways to disseminate antifungal stewardship is through active engagement and strong support from senior hospital leadership. This approach is particularly important in regions such as Asia, where awareness of antifungal use may be lower, and strengthening institutional involvement can help promote better understanding and implementation of appropriate antifungal practices. Ultimately, prioritizing awareness through leadership and engagement is essential to improving antifungal use, reducing resistance, and ensuring better patient outcomes on a global scale.
Antimicrobial Resistance: A Growing Global Threat
The second half of the seminar focused on Dr. Muralidhar Varma, who highlighted the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance and its impact on patient care. Dr. Muralidhar Varma, Professor and Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at KMC Manipal, MAHE. Dr. Varma also serves as Chairman of the Hospital Infection Control Committee and the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, where he plays a key role in advancing safe and effective antimicrobial use.
Dr. Varma’s area of expertise lies in infectious disease, antimicrobial stewardship, hospital infection prevention, and control of HIV-opportunistic infection.
With extensive experience in infectious disease management and hospital-based prevention strategies, his leadership in infection control and stewardship initiatives has contributed to strengthening systems that promote responsible antimicrobial use and improve clinical outcomes. The seminar emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts across institutions and countries to combat antimicrobial resistance, reinforcing the need for continued education, awareness, and collaboration in global health.
The take home message from Dr. Varma’s presentation is that antimicrobial resistance has developed overtime due to the usage of antimicrobial use, with selective pressures as the main driver. Resistance genes can spread in healthcare and community settings, making them difficult to control. Additionally, antimicrobial resistance is expected to become an even greater global threat in the future. Dr. Varma details different ways to counteract this including: reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use, improving hygiene and vaccination, strengthening diagnostics, and implementing better policies and regulations.
Key Takeaways and Future Directions
This seminar underscored that combating infectious disease, whether they are fungal or bacterial infections, requires more than treatments. It requires awareness, collaboration, and stewardship. Through strengthening education, leadership engagement, and global cooperation, we can move towards more responsible antimicrobial use which leads to better clinical outcomes.