Doctors and scientists are fighting the emergence of drug-resistant superbugs after heavy use of strong antibiotics during and after the 2003 Sars outbreak.
University of Hong Kong microbiologist Ho Pak-leung, who helped conduct a pilot antibiotics audit scheme with Queen Mary Hospital, said: 'Some doctors used second-line antibiotics as first defence on patients, especially on those with lung infections, in order to shorten their stay in hospitals. There is a peak on the use of strong antibiotics in Hong Kong hospitals during and after the Sars outbreak.'
Professor Ho learned that several public hospitals had noticed the emergence of bacteria that could not be killed by carbapenem, the strongest type of antibiotic. One hospital has recorded more than 100 cases.
He said patients infected by carbapenem-resistant bacteria could only be treated by other methods such as surgery and use of drugs that are still on clinical trial.
At Queen Mary Hospital, for example, the use of carbapenem in 2003 rose by 71 per cent compared with 2001.
The hospital launched a pilot scheme in January last year to better control the use of antibiotics. The scheme audits the use of 22 so-called 'big gun' antibiotics - including carbapenem - by the intensive care unit.
Intensive care units are high-risk areas where drug-resistant bacteria can be found, as more than 70 per cent of ICU patients require antibiotic treatment.