AGAR Programs – AGAR Group

AGAR PROGRAMS

Since January 2013 AGAR has focused on three surveillance programs examining blood culture isolates

Australian Staphylococcus aureus Surveillance Outcome Program (ASSOP)

Australian Enterococcal Surveillance Outcome Program (AESOP)

Australian Gram-negative Surveillance Outcome Program (GnSOP)

Each program focuses on a specific pathogen group, but together they provide AURA with:

• National AMR trend data

• Mechanism‑level resistance insights

• Early warning signals for emerging threats

• Standardised laboratory testing across Australia

This multi‑program structure ensures Australia has high‑resolution, clinically relevant AMR surveillance.

AGAR, which is a working group of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA), has three Program Committees chaired by

• Professor Geoffrey Coombs (ASSOP)

• Professor Geoffrey Coombs (AESOP)

• Professor Jon Iredell (GNSOP)

The working groups:

• Have a key advisory role ensuring the highest quality of results

• Examine the data with the aim of producing peer reviewed publications

• Organise additional research activities related to the surveillance program

• Provide scientific advice to the AGAR Executive

• Assist with the annual AGAR Committee Meeting Program