Cepheid’s Notes from the DxAMR Collaborative Regional Convening held in Brazil

On the 24th of March 2026, the Fleming Initiative, the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP ) at the University of Ghana, and CAMO-Net with the support of the Ministry of Health in Brazil, hosted the second DxAMR – The Global Collaborative Regional Convening which took place in Brasilia. The meeting brought together several global and regional leaders to tackle one of the major public health issues of our time – the uptake of diagnostics to tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This event aide at enhancing the value of diagnostics to tackle AMR through equity, collaboration, and new systems thinking.

Equity is the foundation

One of the key messages echoed during the conference was equity. From one discussion to another, it was evident that participants kept returning to the idea that surveillance and diagnostics start with individuals, not with technology. Testing, rapid reporting, and impactful clinical interventions were discussed as important components of a comprehensive AMR strategy.

In the Brazilian experience, the Unified Health System was cited as an outstanding example of how equity can be built into a country's healthcare system. Instead of focusing solely on innovation, the focus was on developing a system that would truly improve patient outcomes.

Cross-border and cross-sectoral collaboration

It became clear from the meeting that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) must not be treated in silos. There was considerable focus on the need for collaboration between nations, laboratories, policymakers, the private sector, and intergovernmental bodies.

It was discussed how the exchange of best practices and international expertise could lead to improvements. Harmonization among countries, especially in terms of diagnostic procedures and data, was discussed as potential means to support quality improvement, achieving cost-effectiveness, and enabling comparisons.

Reimbursement models and the role of evidence

The discussion on adjusting reimbursement models and the use of economic and epidemiological evidence was emphasized to underpin future action. Participants agreed that weak incentives and limited recognition of diagnostic value stem partly from gaps in local data and evidence. The regional Ministries of Health should lead by defining policy objectives and reimbursement frameworks, supported by hospitals and health systems generating real‑world data on utilization, outcomes, and downstream savings. Industry, academia, and initiatives such as Fleming were seen as key contributors in developing economic models, supporting surveillance analytics, and co‑producing evidence to demonstrate value.

Surveillance, resistance patterns, and practical challenges

One main idea was the role of diagnostics in identifying colonized patients, particularly asymptomatic carriage of resistant organisms. Participants emphasized that screening and colonization diagnostics help distinguish between infection and carriage, guide infection prevention and control measures, and inform targeted antimicrobial stewardship interventions. Identifying colonized patients early may support antimicrobial stewardship practices, infection control measures, and isolation strategies when implemented as part of broader programs.

Speakers highlighted that surveillance systems like Latin American and Caribbean Network for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (ReLAVRA) and Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (vigiRAM) are essential for tracking resistance trends in the region. They also highlighted the need to monitor key pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli, as well as fungi such as Candida and Histoplasma. The conference also covered resistance; KPC carbapenemases are widespread in Latin America, and the growing prevalence of VIM and NDM underscores the importance of early and accurate diagnosis.

People at the centre of change

The conference also addressed current system‑level challenges, highlighting wide variation across countries in laboratory infrastructure, workforce capacity, communication between laboratories and clinicians, and diagnostic turnaround times.

Participants stressed that surveillance ultimately starts with behavioral change and people, not systems alone, and that data quality and timely use depend on behaviors, skills, and clinical culture at the frontline.

There was strong agreement on the need to invest in training and behavioral change, particularly to strengthen diagnostic stewardship, improve interpretation and use of results, and close the gap between laboratories and clinical decision‑making.

Policy, Funding, and Adoption

A common issue raised during the convening was the misalignment between national AMR policies and sustainable funding for diagnostics. While many countries acknowledge the importance of diagnostics within their AMR strategies, this recognition is not consistently translated into dedicated financing or supportive reimbursement mechanisms.

Participants noted that fragmented funding, and misaligned incentives often limit access to high‑quality diagnostic tools and discourage their use. Addressing this gap was seen as critical to ensuring that diagnostics are treated as essential infrastructure for AMR control, rather than optional add‑ons, and that innovation and adoption can be sustained over time.

Why this matters for Cepheid

Cepheid is a proud supporter of the DxAMR Collaborative, reflecting its commitment to advancing the real‑world impact of diagnostics in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Discussions during the Brazil convening consistently emphasized that for diagnostics to make a meaningful difference, they must be fully integrated into health systems and aligned with national policies, sustainable financing mechanisms, stewardship efforts, and supported by robust, actionable data. As the global AMR dialogue continues to evolve, the Brazil convening demonstrated that achieving sustainable impact will require not only technological innovation but also equity, strong partnerships, and coordinated action across stakeholders.