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MORU Microbiology has teams at three study sites in Thailand: Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Chiangrai Clinical Research Unit (CCRU)

Ubon/Sepsis/AMR Group with Prof Wipada Chaowagul and Dr Prapit Teparrukkul with collaborators at Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital © 2019 MORU, Gerhard Jørén
MORU Microbiology’s Ubon/Sepsis/AMR Group with Prof Wipada Chaowagul (in red) and Dr Prapit Teparrukkul (right), MORU Microbiology much appreciated and longtime collaborators at Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani

Microbiology sites in Thailand

MORU Microbiology currently has teams at three study sites in Thailand:

  • Ubon Ratchathani, our long collaborating centre hosting our AMR/DRI, Sepsis and Melioidosis Prevention Groups
  • Udon Thani, where we conduct collaborative studies in leptospirosis, scrub typhus and melioidosis
  • Chiangrai Clinical Research Unit (CCRU), where, with a focus on improving health and treatment, we carry out research on scrub typhus, sepsis, AMR/DRI and the ethics of research in vulnerable populations.

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani’s Sunpasithiprasong Hospital hosts Microbiology Department clinical research lab facilities including a BSL2 Melioid Laboratory and its AMR/DRI, Sepsis and Melioidosis Prevention Groups. Since 1986, MORU has undertaken several collaborative studies at Sunpasithiprasong Hospital, including a landmark randomized controlled trial on the treatment of melioidosis published in 1989 that reduced the mortality of melioidosis in Thailand by half.

Maliwan Hongsuwan heads the Ubon AMR/DRI Group, which led an intervention to improve hand hygiene in Sunpasithiprasong Hospital, and is running both quantitative and qualitative research to improve infection prevention and control.

The Ubon Sepsis Group, headed by Viriya Hantrakun, conducts research into the clinical epidemiology and outcomes of sepsis in Northeast Thailand.

Pornpan Suntornsut heads Microbiology’s Melioidosis Prevention Group in Ubon, runs an behaviour change trial to determine effectiveness of prevention programme of melioidosis in diabetics in Ubon Ratchathani, Northeast Thailand.

List of registered clinical studies at Ubon Ratchathani includes NCT02217592, NCT02157259, NCT02089152, NCT01420341, NCT03411538 and NCT03382548

Udon Thani

MORU Microbiology undertakes collaborative studies in leptospirosis, scrub typhus and melioidosis at Udon Thani Regional Hospital, which is located near the Thai-Laos border. Our major focus at Udon Thani is to:

  • Improve diagnostics, and to determine the clinical impact of early diagnosis and treatment in these bacterial infection diseases.
  • Conduct therapeutic trials that aim to reduce mortality.

Chiangrai Clinical Research Unit (CCRU)

Following a successful collaboration with Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital for a cause of fever study from 2006-2008, MORU Microbiology set up the Chiangrai Clinical Research Unit (CCRU) in 2013. Headed by Carlo Perrone, with a focus on improving health and treatment, CCRU carries out research on scrub typhus, acute febrile illness, AMR/DRI and the ethics of research in vulnerable populations. Together with local stakeholders, CCRU has been conducting public engagement activities to raise scrub typhus awareness and promote disease prevention.

Chiangrai Clinical Research Unit Team, with from left to right: Nipaphan Kanthawang (Bee), Nidanuch Tasak (Pui), Carlo Perrone, Nongyao Khatta (Ann), Ploypatcha Kaewwiset (Maew), Areerat Thaiprakong (Zulin). They stand in front of a banner that says Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital (in Thai as well, first row) and Office of the permanent Secretary of Public Health (second row); Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital (third row)

Carlo Perrone (centre) and the CCRU team carry out research on scrub typhus, acute febrile illness, AMR/DRI and research ethics.