Bacterial and Viral Infection

Tackling antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria

Led by Dr Seniyat Afegbua at Nigerian Defence Academy and Dr Kirsty Sands at the University of Oxford in the UK

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics. These resistant bacteria, often known as ‘superbugs’, are causing a global crisis which is amplified in low- and middle-income countries with poorer infection prevention and control measures. Without effective antibiotics, infections we have come to think of as benign could become deadly.

Farms and hospitals are two of the most significant hot spots for AMR, particularly in low- and middle-income regions with limited resources. Many of these countries also have tropical climates, which are favourable for bacteria by speeding up their replication. In addition, the warmer temperatures combined with poor infrastructure increase the number of houseflies – these are pests which often carry disease-causing and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Funded by the Foundation, Dr Seniyat Afegbua at Nigerian Defence Academy and Dr Kirsty Sands at the University of Oxford will evaluate farm and hospital environments in Kaduna, Nigeria, and identify which ones have the most AMR bacteria. They will also assess how significant an impact the climate has on the number of bacteria in each location.

Avoiding antimicrobial products like antibiotics, the team will also trial a bacteriophage-based disinfectant spray. Bacteriophages are types of viruses which specifically infect bacteria, but not animals or humans, so this will allow them to choose which harmful microbes they wish to target. Ultimately, they hope that this approach will be a viable alternative for reducing AMR bacteria.