Infection
Antimicrobial resistance is a huge issue facing the world today. How will we revolutionise the way we diagnose and treat patients with respiratory disease?
About one third of all antibiotic prescriptions are for chest infections. Our research focuses on providing more accurate, rapid diagnosis for patients with severe respiratory infections and better management of fungal infections – the areas where we believe our work can have the greatest impact.
We know that there is a link between respiratory disease and an imbalance of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) in the lung.
We are:
- Analysing the microbiome and mycobiome (genetic material of these bacteria and fungi) to better understand the dynamic relationships of different pathogens and commensal organisms in different conditions and under the influence of antimicrobials and corticosteroids – the lungs are not sterile, as previously thought. We anticipate more accurate diagnosis of lung infection.
- We are developing and evaluating software algorithms to process information about the patient’s condition in collaboration with The Health eResearch Centre, to help clinicians make timely, efficient and effective decisions on the antibiotics they use to treat patients in hospitals with serious infections. This will optimise antibiotic treatments going forward and ultimately improve patient safety for future generations.
Fungal diseases are among the more difficult to treat, particularly in patients with complex medical needs. Antifungal resistance is increasing – a Citizen Science project across the UK with numerous patients from the National Aspergillosis Centre participating, for a 13 per cent overall rate of resistance and higher in compost. Rapid detection and a switch to alternative therapies is required.
We are:
- Able to detect antifungal resistance using molecular methods even when fungi do not grow, and continue to evaluate the impact of this new technology in routine clinical care. Evaluating the ability to detect Azole resistance using molecular methods that can be applied as part of routine clinical care.
- Validating a small number of genetic markers that can accurately distinguish aspergillosis (diseases caused by the Aspergillus fungi) from underlying lung diseases, to allow early diagnostic screening in the future and stratify patients by risk.
- Extending the reach of our research globally, given the few experts in fungal disease and limited diagnostic capacity in many countries
Antimicrobial response
NIHR Infrastructure Award: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Centre Award, 2019
Our Respiratory Theme leads Manchester’s NIHR Infrastructure grant to accelerate our expertise in the rapid diagnosis of bacterial infections, AMR and sepsis. To support personalised care, we are identifying individualised antimicrobial dosing and rapid assessment of antimicrobial response with the aim to reduce emerging AMR. The new Centre will support large-scale clinical studies and leverage further funding in this area of global importance and immediate clinical need.
Fungal research