RVC Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is significant and growing challenge to global health. Existing antimicrobials are becoming less effective and pathogenic organisms are increasing the rate at which they become resistant to treatment.
Here at the RVC we are carrying out research addressing AMR from a One Health perspective. Using interdisciplinary approaches our research is addressing this problem both in the UK and worldwide.
Led by Dr Lucy Brunton
BSc, MSc Vet. Epi., PhD
Lecturer in Molecular Epidemiology
Lucy obtained her degree in microbiology from the University of Leeds in 2006, where she then undertook her PhD to investigate the effect of rearing environment on the incidence of zoonotic bacteria in pigs. In 2010, Lucy joined the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (now APHA) where she conducted epidemiological research in the areas of food-borne disease, AMR and bovine tuberculosis.
Having completed a Masters in veterinary epidemiology at the RVC in 2017, she joined the RVCs VEEPH group to develop molecular epidemiological expertise in the areas of AMR and bovine tuberculosis.
Her research focuses on understanding the molecular epidemiology of AMR and using One Health systems approaches to tackle this complex problem. She is particularly interested in the role that food animal production plays in contributing to the emergence and spread of AMR.
Led by Dr Ben Swift
BSc (Hons), MRes, PhD
Lecturer in Antimicrobial Resistance
During Ben's PhD he developed novel diagnostics for mycobacterial diseases, based on using bacteriophage. He then successfully patented this technology and is currently funded to further develop this and novel technology to aid the diagnosis of mycobacterial diseases in human and veterinary settings.
Here at the RVC he is involved in researching drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment, where he aims to fill in the significant gaps in research in this area, to address the potential risks the environment poses in the spread of AMR, both in the UK and in low-middle income countries.
He is very interested in applied biology and translating research from bench to consumer and is keen to collaborate with academia and industry.
Temporal dynamic resistance of skin and gastrointestinal bacteria in canine pyoderma
Temporal dynamic resistance of skin and gastrointestinal bacteria in canine pyoderma: Comparison between marbofloxacin and pradofloxacin in an investigator-blinded randomised interventional study.
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Development of rapid diagnostics to detect mycobacterial infections
Mycobacteria are very difficult to culture and can take weeks to grow. The aim of this project is to is to use novel patented bacteriophage technology to rapidly detect and diagnose infections caused by mycobacteria, such as Tuberculosis and Johne’s disease.
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Evaluating the surveillance system for Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the United Kingdom from a One Health perspective
The project aims to assess the value of integrated surveillance systems for AMU and AMR in the UK from a One Health (OH) perspective.
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Key Partners
We also work with many other partners, including:
WorldFish, University of Stirling, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Nottingham, University of Copenhagen, Food Standards Agency, The Francis Crick Institute, Birkbeck, LSE, SOAS, Harper Adams University, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Massey University, Agresearch