Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the top resistance threats world-wide, for which the situation is classified as critical by the World Health Organization. The growing prevalence of nosocomial infections produced by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains is indeed associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality, since it compromises the available effective therapeutic options, even those recently introduce, due to emerging resistance mechanisms.
Ongoing project
In summary antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa is a severe, complex, continuously evolving threat in Europe and therefore coordinated efforts should be established to improve its surveillance and control.
The network Improving surveillance of antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Europe (ISARPAE) gathers 37 researchers from 17 European countries, including multiple national reference centres on P. aeruginosa antibiotic resistance. Thus the specific objectives of this network will be:
- Create a forum of experts and researchers working on P. aeruginosa antimicrobial resistance to define the focus, procedures strategies and priorities for surveillance.
- Training clinical microbiologists, infectious diseases physicians and researchers across Europe: Hands on workshop on Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance phenotypes and whole genome sequence resistome analysis.
- Provide advice, support and mentorship to less experienced or lower resources laboratories in Europe.
- Develop the basis for a coordinated action with relevant stakeholders at European level, including future EU research grants applications.
Expected outcomes:
- Create a forum of experts and researchers working on P. aeruginosa antimicrobial resistance
- Publication of rational documents: Define the setting, variables, focus, strategies and priorities for surveillance of P. aeruginosa antimicrobial resistance in Europe
- Publication of laboratory manuals: Define the procedures for appropriate surveillance of P. aeruginosa antimicrobial resistance Europe
- Hands on workshops: Training clinical microbiologists, ID physicians and researchers across Europe will improve surveillance
Network partners
- Antonio Oliver, Hospital Son Espases-IdISBa, Spain (Coordinator)
This network includes 38 partners from 17 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Turkey.
