ABOUT
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is the term used to describe the ability of microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, to evolve to become resistant to the drugs that are used to treat against them. This treatment resistance makes infections harder to cure, leading to longer illnesses, higher mortality rates, and increased healthcare costs.
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In Malta, monitoring of AMR (often referred to as AMR surveillance) is currently done through the use of commonly available microbiology methods, whereby microbes are grown on culture plates and drug susceptibility tests are done.
This project aims to improve AMR surveillance on the Maltese islands by introducing a more advanced technique, known as Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), to provide more information on the AMR present locally. In fact, this project will molecularly characterize carbapenem/colistin resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), a specific group of microbes which are of particular interest due to their broad range of resistance.
Objectives
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Improve our knowledge on multidrug-resistant microbes and how they are transmitted to humans
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Improve the healthcare service provided at Mater Dei Hospital
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Offer insight for the development of improved public health policies
Ultimately, the above objectives should lead to the development of a One Health approach whereby we can achieve the best possible health outcomes by taking into account the relationship between humans, plants, animals and their surrounding environment.
