The overuse and misuse of antibiotics, including inappropriate prescribing (example prescribing antibiotics to treat a viral infection instead of a bacterial infection) leads to the increase in antibiotic resistant infections.
Oxford scientists are developing new interventions to reduce unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics in clinical settings.
Current projects
Cambodia-Oxford Medical Research Unit
The Cambodia-Oxford Medical Research Unit (COMRU), part of the MORU network, has contributed to development of the Cambodia National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System and National Action plan for AMR.
DRIaDD
The Drug-Resistant Infections and Disease Dynamics group (DRIaDD) investigate treatment strategy through interventions (e.g. contact precaution, hand hygiene) and drug duration.
DURATION-UTI study
This study explores the impact of duration of antibiotic therapy on effectiveness, safety and selection of antibiotic resistance in adult women with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
FORESFA study
The FORensic Epidemiology of Substandard and Falsified Antimicrobials (FORESFRA) project aims to improve understanding of the epidemiology of substandard and falsified antimicrobials and their impact on global public health.
Infections & Acute Care Research Group
The group investigate infectious and respiratory diseases in primary care to optimise diagnosis and find more effective ways of monitoring and treating patients, including identifying patients with serious illness early and avoiding hospital admission, whilst reducing antibiotic use.
Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit
The Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), part of the MORU network, conducts clinical research on diseases of public health importance, including addressing AMR in Lao.
Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit
The Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit (MOCRU), part of the MORU network, has multiple AMR focussed projects, including public engagement activities on antibiotic use.
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
The work of Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) includes important drug-resistant infections in Vietnam, including multi-drug resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum.
Shoklo Malaria Research Unit
The Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), part of the MORU network, conducts clinical and laboratory work including studies of P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria and research on multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB).
STEP-UP study
Improving the uptake and SusTainability of Effective interventions to promote Prudent antibiotic Use and Primary care (STEP-UP) aims to understand how interventions to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing can be encouraged for wider usage in general practice in England.
VICAR study
This study will help test new ways to boost awareness and understanding of antibiotic use and resistance for parents and their families. Study findings will help improve future antibiotic awareness campaigns to reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance.