Developing a conceptual framework to improve understanding of AMR in livestock systems
UK: Argentina AMR DHSC/UKAID towards developing a systems model of AMR focusing on feed-lot beef production systems as an exemplar
Research overview:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) jeopardises the effective prevention and treatment of an increasing range of infections. It is estimated that by 2050, AMR infections will be the leading cause of death globally, at an economic cost of $100 trillion. The burden of this cost likely to be placed overwhelmingly on low and middle income countries.
Antimicrobial usage (AMU) in livestock is associated with increased AMR in animal and human microbiomes. Without taking steps to reduce environmental AMR, efforts in other sectors may be insufficient to prevent the post-antibiotic era that threatens modern medicine. This research takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying the impacts of feedlot production on antimicrobial usage and AMR in beef cattle as well as feedlot impacted environments.
Key objectives:
We will produce a "blueprint" for an integrated surveillance, analysis, interpretation, modelling and policy translation approach that can be utilised for any livestock system in any LMIC to facilitate decision making, implementation of incentives and informing new policy around interventions to reduce AMU, AMR and risk to human health
Impact:
This will reduce the economic and societal burden of AMR whilst ensuring associated economic costs of interventions are considered.
Antimicrobial drug resistance in bacterial pathogens is a highly complex phenomenon requiring interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral working. We are investigating new ways of thinking about AMR that can aid understanding and focus research and interventions where they will be most effective.
Professor William Gaze
tbc
Grant Funding https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/publications/hps-weekly-report/volume-53/issue-40/5-million-given-to-amr-research-partnerships-between-uk-and-argentina/ (October 2019)
Antimicrobial resistance in livestock https://www.ecehh.org/research/amr-livestock/
University Press Release https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_756483_en.html (October 2019)
You can read more about the grant application Developing a conceptual framework to improve understanding of AMR in livestock.
The Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics. Interviews with the experts: William Gaze, Professor of Microbiology, University of Exeter Medical School (October 2021)
Prof William Gaze (University of Exeter)
Dr Anne Leonard (University of Exeter)
Dr Aimee Murray (University of Exeter)
Professor Stuart Townley (University of Exeter)
Dr Emma Pitchforth (University of Exeter)
National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INEI – ANLIS)
National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA)
Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology (IMPAM)
The UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and UK Aid through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BBSRC