Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens (Nairobi, Kenya)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health emergency, and threatens the safe delivery of modern medical care. Global projections of the negative impact of AMR predict the loss of nearly 10 million lives, and a cumulative loss of global production up to 100 trillion US dollars by 2050. AMR requires immediate, concerted, international, collaborative action to monitor its prevalence and spread throughout the world. The importance of this has been recognised both by the United Nations, and by the World Health Organisation; the latter has published a list of priority pathogens and a global strategy for AMR surveillance.

The challenges of controlling AMR in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be considerable for a number of reasons. Firstly, antibiotics may be available for human and animal use without prescription, resulting in unregulated use. Secondly, accurate data on antimicrobial prescription or consumption may not be readily available. Thirdly, there may be limited knowledge about appropriate use of antibiotics and a lack of antimicrobial policies or stewardship programmes. Finally, there may be limitations in healthcare facilities and laboratory capacity for the detection and management of AMR.

The aim of this course is to address some of these challenges by improving the knowledge and skills of individuals interested in antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens in Africa. It will provide a basic introduction to AMR, and practical laboratory training in the laboratory aspects of AMR detection (phenotypic and molecular testing) in bacteria. It will also provide theoretical training on the evolution and spread of AMR and explore the using whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis and methods for AMR surveillance and control. The content will be globally relevant but tailored to an African setting, and therefore potentially transferable to other LMICs. It will result in training and capacity building of the participants who will be able to transfer their knowledge and skills within their home own institutions and countries. The course will provide an opportunity for participants to network and potentially build a regional AMR network to support longer-term partnerships and collaborations.

Target audience
The course is free to attend and open to applicants based in institutes in Africa. The course is aimed at PhD students, clinical trainees or specialists in medical microbiology, postdoctoral scientists, senior technicians, or research assistants with a Master’s degree. Applicants should be actively engaged in or soon to commence research, clinical practice, clinical service provision or involvement in developing policies for AMR in bacteria.

The course will be made up of lectures and laboratory and computational practicals. Participants will learn international standard methods for the detection of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. Participants will also complete computational practicals covering the investigation, tracking and understanding AMR in bacteria.

Specifically the course will cover:

• Historical and epidemiological aspects of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• Clinical importance of AMR
• Causes and biological mechanisms of resistance in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) methods e.g. disc testing, automated systems, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), breakpoints and reporting
• Molecular methods for detection of AMR
• Internal quality control (QC) and external quality assurance (QA) for AST
• AMR pathogens in Africa
• AMR in veterinary medicine
• Antibiotic policies and stewardship
• AMR surveillance methods and study design
• Tackling AMR using a One Health Approach
• Introduction to genomic surveillance of AMR
• Local AMR epidemiology – investigating transmission of clones and AMR
• Analysis of resistance in genomes

Learning outcomes
After attending this course, participants should be able to

• Recognise the significance and challenges of AMR spread and evolution in low and middle-income countries.
• Carry out standard laboratory methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (e.g. disk testing and MIC determination)
• Apply molecular approaches and techniques for the detection and characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes.
• Describe the principles and practice of quality assurance and control in AMR surveillance techniques, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting.
• Discuss the range of different control strategies for AMR in human and veterinary medicine (e.g. antimicrobial stewardship, infection control and policies).
• Use computational tools for the monitoring and analysis of antimicrobial resistance.

Course instructors

Prerequisites

The course is open to applicants based in institutes in Africa. The course is aimed at PhD students, clinical trainees or specialists in medical microbiology, postdoctoral scientists, senior technicians, or research assistants with a Master’s degree. Applicants should be actively engaged in or soon to commence research, clinical practice, clinical service provision or involvement in developing policies for AMR in bacteria.

Laboratory experience: The laboratory practical sessions will require basic microbiological and laboratory skills. Participants are required to have some previous exposure to basic microbiological and laboratory techniques. This will be essential for participants to fully benefit from the course.

Computational experience: Participants should have some basic knowledge of computer usage. No formal bioinformatics training is required.

The course will be taught in English.

How to Apply
Please complete the online application form. Places are limited and will be awarded on merit. If you have any problems with the online application process, please contact us.

Please note: Applications must be supported by a recommendation from a scientific or clinical sponsor (e.g. supervisor, line manager or head of department). A request for a supporting statement will be sent to your nominated sponsor automatically during the application process. Applicants must ensure that their sponsor provides this supporting statement by the application deadline. Applications without a supporting statement cannot be considered.

Cost
The course is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences Programme and is free to attend for non-commercial applicants.
Please contact us for the commercial fee.

Bursaries
Limited bursaries to cover travel, accommodation and sustenance costs are available and are awarded on merit. If you would like to apply for a bursary, please complete the bursary section of the online application form.

Please note that both the applicant and sponsor are required to provide a justification for the bursary as part of the application

Bursary terms and conditions

Overseas Courses (held outside of the UK)
A limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are awarded on merit to cover travel, accommodation and sustenance. The maximum award for travel (economy class) will be £750.

Bursaries can be applied for as part of the course application form. Applicants will be notified of a bursary award along with their place on the course, usually within one month of the application deadline. The decision of the selection committee is final.