The Diagnostic Microbiology Development Program (DMDP) was created in 2008 to establish microbiology laboratories in hospitals in resource-poor countries. In Cambodia, Australian hospital scientists have contributed to the increase in capacity in diagnostic testing in part supported by AusAID through Volunteers for International Development from Australia (ViDA).

DMDP collaborate with the Cambodian Ministry of Health and international partners to assist building microbiology diagnostic laboratory capacity as part of the National Strategic Plan for Medical Laboratory Services.

DMDP have supported microbiology laboratories in six Provincial Referral and National government hospitals in Cambodia. A central media-making laboratory in collaboration with the University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, now prepares and distributes media to the 6 facilities.

DMDP use sustainable basic microbiology diagnostic testing according to visual charts prepared by Ellen Jo Baron, Ph.D., D(ABMM), enabling identification of important pathogens such as Burkholderia pseudomallei, Streptococcus suis, Salmonella Typhi and Cryptococcus.  Identification of important pathogens along with disc diffusion susceptibility testing using CLSI M02-A12 and M100-S25 has provided important surveillance data for the Ministry of Health.

The author will describe findings during the 2009-2015 period, a Vibrio cholerae outbreak, 2010, and outbreaks of nosocomial infections. An antibiogram for 2014 will be discussed. In 2014, a total of 142 (10.5%) blood stream infections were detected at six laboratory sites from 1356 patients. Burkholderia pseudomallei, 17 (12.0%) and Salmonella, 16 (11.3%) were the most common blood culture pathogens isolated. S.aureus isolates from all sites show 74% susceptibility to methicillin. 26(8%) of 345 S.aureus isolates were multi resistant MRSA. Gram negative bacilli resistance is of most concern. Blood (n=15) and urine E.coli isolates (n=46) show 33% & 30% ceftriaxone susceptibility respectively. Ceftriaxone has been heavily relied upon by Cambodian clinicians for empirical treatment.

Challenges include supply procurement, equipment maintenance, poor salaries for government staff, poor high school and university education, and language difficulties in educating lab staff and clinicians about basic clinical microbiology.