Impact of antibiotic residues in food on the spreading of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia pathogens in young children
Project Status: 3 Approved without Funding
Duration in months: 36 months
Objective
Naturally occurring antibiotics and the development of resistance against them are both products of long-term evolution. However, the rampant antibiotic resistance (ABR) that increasingly threatens humankind worldwide is likely driven by the unwise drug use in hospitals, on farms, the food industry, and in homes by humans. Standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist. In many countries, special measures and programs were developed to combat ABR. The rational use of antimicrobial drugs requires limits on practices in livestock, supervision of antibiotics in hospitals and their sale in pharmacies, development and implementation of standard recommendations for the treatment of infectious diseases, and an outreach in form of educational programs for healthcare professionals and the public how to control drug-resistant pathogens. Many experts believe, a variety of strategies and an interdisciplinary approach are necessary to curb the increase and spread of antibiotic resistance. Purpose: Perform a correlation analysis between antibiotic residues in food and the spreading of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia pathogens in children under 5 years of age in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
We will study the presence and the spreading of antibiotic resistance genes in relevant clinical isolates, as well as the existence of antibiotic residues in food. Monitoring the most frequently used veterinary antibiotics in foods of animal origin in parallel with studying the spread of antibiotic resistance among the main causative agents of child pneumonia will reveal a possible link; a correlation that we can analyze and develop recommendations for physicians for the rational use of antibacterial agents for the treatment of pneumonia. Objectives:
1. Recruiting, surveying, and screening a research cohort. Collecting clinical material from the participants of the study.
2. Isolation of pathogenic bacterial strains that cause the development of pneumonia in young children.
3. Evaluation of the antibiotic susceptibility of the strains isolated under Objective 2 and identification of their resistance genes.
4. Detection of antibiotic residues in food products, including dairy and meat of domestic and foreign origin.
5. Analysis of correlation between the presence of antibiotic residues in food and the spread of antibiotic resistance among the major pneumonia pathogens in children under the age 5.
6. Based on the results of this study, development of recommendations for medical institutions and preschools how to optimize and treat pneumonia and reduce the recurrence of the disease in young children. Project Strengths:
Researchers involved in the project have extensive experience in the study of infectious diseases in children and spread of antibiotic resistance among them. Separately, the structure has been studied the spread of resistance genes in the Kazakh population of people. Partnering with LLP «STOLAB» - official distributor of R-Biopharm, Germany, will allow qualitatively to conduct studies on the identification of antibiotics in food, as they take on the full training of specialists of the project all the necessary methods, as well as provide equipment for these studies. In addition, the company is sponsoring a trip to Germany for a more detailed study of the possibilities of modern methods and laboratory equipment, and they also provide seminars and conferences to promote the results of the project. Expected Results: Data on antibiotic resistance among child pneumonia causing pathogens for a cohort from birth to an age 5 in the Republic of Kazakhstan will be obtained. Identification of foods of animal origin with in-agriculture-banned antibiotics and their manufacturers will be held. Assessment of the impact of antibiotic residues in food on the spreading of antibiotic resistance among pneumonia pathogens in children will be held. Recommendations for medical institutions, including children's clinics based on our findings of common antibacterial agents in food and their effect(s) on antibiotic resistance among child pneumonia causing pathogens will be developed.
Participating Institutions
LEADING
Private Institution National Laboratory Nazarbayev University
PARTICIPATING
Joint-stock Company Medicine University Astana
COLLABORATOR
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory / Center for Environmental Biotechnology
