Diarrhoeal disease is responsible for killing around 444,000 children every year, mainly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Worryingly, antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective against the bacteria that cause diarrhoea as these evolve to resist the action of these medicines.
An international collaboration led by Professor Sheppard will tackle this challenge by creating a framework of meta-genomic epidemiology surveillance. This advanced approach is used to monitor and track the spread of infectious diseases by analysing the genetic material of all microorganisms present in a sample, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The aim is to apply the genetic data to develop a vaccine for livestock: one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant diseases.
This work will focus on Campylobacter, the most common bacterial cause of diarrhoea. These bacteria are prevalent in livestock such as poultry, cattle, pigs, and sheep and can be transmitted to humans via contaminated water and food. The research team will study the genetic make-up of Campylobacter populations recovered from hospital and farm sites, and use these data to develop a vaccine for animals that will interrupt the transmission chain and prevent the spread of Campylobacter to humans.
Pilot research has already taken place in The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Peru. With the new funding, the team will further expand this work across Africa, where local partners will collect samples from infected humans and children, wild and domesticated animals, retail meat from supermarkets, and the natural environment (such as waterbodies).
Professor Sam Sheppard, Principal Investigator, Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research, said: ‘Contemporary meta-genomic epidemiology techniques will help us understand cryptic disease networks and track how the disease is transmitted from animals to humans. Working in partnership with a network of 19 countries and nine African Co-investigators, the Wellcome Discovery Award will allow us to create a global genomic surveillance hub to track the spread of diarrhoeal diseases.’
Read the full story on the University of Oxford website.
more recommended stories
Wearable devices can help predict five year risk of falls for people with Parkinson’s Disease — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionFalls are a common problem for.
-
Low Magnesium Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
In a recent analysis published in.
Mei Nortley awarded inaugural Averil Mansfield Trainer of the Year Award — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionThe Rouleaux Club (Vascular Trainees’ Association.
The genetic basis of fertility, family and longevity — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionLed by researchers from the University.
Radical rethink of mental health support for adolescents needed – new study — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionThe study, led by teams at.
New study reveals the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on other causes of death — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionResearchers from the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic.
A way to test the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen by measuring their shape — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionFlowScore (1) – a formula developed.
Oxford study identifies the most effective treatments for ADHD in adults — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionA comparative review of available ADHD.
Umbrella review of traumatic brain injury research — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a.
New study reveals link between head injuries and viruses in Alzheimer’s Disease — University of Oxford, Medical Sciences DivisionA new study suggests that repeated.
Leave a Comment