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Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections cause more than 19,000 excess deaths a year in Thailand alone, according to a study published today in eLife Sciences Publications. In a first for Thailand, the study systematically examined microbiology laboratory and hospital databases from nine public hospitals in Northeast Thailand and compared them to Thailand’s national death registry to estimate that 19,122 deaths in Thailand in 2010 were excess deaths caused by multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
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MORU. Photographer: Direk Limmathurotsakul
Bipin Adhikari: Community engagement for malaria elimination
Community engagement is important for ethical research, understanding community vulnerabilities and aligning priorities to bridge the gap between researchers and the communities they serve. MORU researchers focus on social aspects of infectious diseases, primarily malaria, with recent projects in Laos, Cambodia, Tanzania, and Bangladesh. Using a bottom-up approach helps addressing power imbalances for an authentic engagement.
Paul Turner: Improving data for infection management
The ACORN project gathers clinical, microbiology, and antibiotic use data from nine countries in Asia and Africa to understand the burden and impact of antibiotic resistance on patient treatment and outcomes. It aims to improve direct patient care, generate treatment guidelines, and inform interventions to combat antibiotic resistance globally, ensuring better antibiotics for all.
Carlo Perrone: Improving scrub typhus detection and prevention
In northern Thailand, MORU researchers focus on scrub typhus, a disease transmitted by small bugs in rural environments. A simple diagnostic cartridge for rapid detection would avoid critical delays and issues of current antibody-based tests. If accessible in small hospitals, this improved diagnostics has the potential to save lives by providing timely treatment. Involving local communities is essential to address the endemic nature of scrub typhus in rural areas.
Claire Chewapreecha: Melioidosis genomics
Genetic investigations into melioidosis, profiling both bacteria and patients, help understand disease acquisition and outcomes. Furthermore, identifying prevalent harmful bacterial genes supports vaccine development, and the development of CRISPR-Cas-based tests responds to an urgent need for rapid diagnosis that can reduce the detection time to under three hours with higher sensitivity. Applications developed in resource-limited settings show improved global applicability and impact on patients’ outcomes.
Stuart Blacksell: Risk-based approach to biosafety
In biosafety and biosecurity, the recent risk-based approach departs from a rigid one-size-fits-all model. Tailoring safety measures to pathogen and activity levels enhances flexibility, which is vital in resource-limited settings. Systematic reporting of lab incidents globally is lacking, hindering transparency and root cause analysis. Most accidents result from human or procedural errors, highlighting the need for investment in personnel training.
Direk Limmathurotsakul: AMR: local, national, global impact
To fight antimicrobial resistance, researchers at MORU utilise hospital data to assess global impact and guide interventions. By analysing data, they identify hospitals needing support which enables targeted interventions. Automation and simplification aid data utilization in low-middle-income countries. This approach, bridging implementation and epidemiological research, is crucial and has the potential to save many lives.
Nick White: Improving the treatment of infectious diseases
With nearly 50 years in malaria research and more recent focus on COVID-19, research at MORU led to more effective treatments. In COVID-19, trials debunked drugs like ivermectin or favipiravir, but validated remdesivir, molnupiravir and protease inhibitors. As malaria faces drug resistance, triple therapies offer hope. MORU research aims for tangible health impacts, with an approach applicable to other infectious diseases.
Naomi Waithira: Data, science and health
MORU Data Management focuses on tropical infectious diseases, gathering data from diverse sources like patient interviews, medical records and laboratory results. This data, stripped of identifying information, is organized for analysis. Past clinical data aids new insights, augmented by mathematical modelling and AI. MORU aims to improve healthcare by leveraging technology for accurate, impactful solutions.
GroupMappers
GroupMappers is a group based in Bangladesh that utilizes geospatial technology for public health issues. Established in 2017, it is led by Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit and the Communicable Disease Control Division of the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh.
APMEN Surveillance and Response
MORU has been the host organization for the APMEN Surveillance and Response Working Group (SRWG) since January 2021. MORU's team include Richard Maude, SRWG Co-Chair, and Massaya Sirimattayanant, SRWG Coordinator