Combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is the cornerstone for evaluating the burden of AMR to inform treatment decisions at local, national, and global levels. Correct identification of bacteria and performance of standard antimicrobial susceptibility is utmost for optimum patient care and in gauging the burden of AMR. In my line of work, I use state-of-the-art phenotypic and whole-genome sequencing to understand the epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria species isolated from humans, livestock, and the environment. I train laboratory staff from the human and animal health sectors to correctly identify bacteria species and to perform standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing. I’m also involved in the training of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of bacteriology and AMR to raise the next generation of resistance fighters to tackle AMR. Because all of us need to be resistance fighters.
