Urgent need for evidence-based guidance for antibiotic use
We have now shown that even a narrow spectrum antibiotic such as penicillin V may significantly select for a microbiome profile enriched in antimicrobial resistance genes. As an important part of this project, the group is in the process of completing two studies that will contribute to resistome analysis:
- an online tool for analysis and visualization of microbiome profiles and resistomes;
- a new functional metagenomics approach for characterization of new antibiotic resistance genes.
The two tools are expected to find applicability to the study of resistomes not only in humans, but also in diverse hosts and environments. In this project, such tools are used to analyse the effect of antibiotics on the microbiome and resistome of preterm infants.
International Collaboration
Differences in antibiotic resistance prevalence in Norway and India will enable us to compare the effects of antibiotics on the resistome in sets of low and high antibiotic resistance. To gain insights into the mechanisms involved in the response to antibiotics and possible interventions to prevent adverse antibiotic effects later in life, we are using animal and in silico models.
The project focuses on the respiratory microbiome, and is based on collaborations between UiO, Lady Hardinge Medical College & KSCH hospitals in New Delhi and the OUS in Norway.
Project Leader
Partners in India
Dr. Sushma Nangia, Director and professor of Neonatology of LHMC & KSCH, New Dehli, India. Project leader of the division in India
Dr. Sonal Saxena, Professor of Microbiology, LHMC & KSCH, New Dehli, India
Partners in Norway
Dr Kirsti Haaland, Neonatology, Oslo University Hospital
Prof. Dag Berild, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, and University of Oslo
Prof. Ola Didrik Saugstad, Professor emeritus at Paediatric Research UiO and Oslo University Hospital
Ulf Dahle, Specialist Director, Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Professor Thomas Kuntziger, Institute of Oral Biology
Researcher
Sudhanshu Shekhar, Department of Oral biology, UiO
Postdoctorate Fellows
Roger Junges, Department of Oral biology, UiO
Gabriela Salvadori da Silva, Department of Oral biology, UiO
PhD Candidates
Achal Dhariwal, Department of Oral Biology, UiO, and OUS
Polona Rajar, Department of Oral biology, UiO
Head Engineer
Heidi Aarø Åmdal, Department of Oral Biology, UiO
Administration and coordination
Anna Torwick, Department of Oral Biology, UiO
Funding