Nasia Safdar, MD, PhD (pictured at right), associate professor, Infectious Disease and vice chair for research in the Department of Medicine, has been awarded a $50,000 seed grant over one year from the UW Global Health Institute. 

For this project, entitled “Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance Through a Global Perspective,” Dr. Safdar will lead a team beginning with a one-year pilot project in India. 

Ajay Sethi, PhD, MS (not pictured), associate professor, Department of Population Health Sciences, and Dawd Siraj, MD, MPH (pictured at far right), professor (CHS), Infectious Disease, will join Dr. Safdar and partners in New Delhi on the project.

India is at the epicenter of one of the most multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, one which carries the New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1), an enzyme that has conferred resistance to almost all therapeutic options. Infection caused by these "superbugs" has an 80 percent mortality rate.

Infectious disease researchers at UW-Madison are collaborating with partners in New Delhi to conduct a qualitative study aimed at increasing understanding of antibiotic stewardship practices and implement protocols for stewardship at a major health care system in India.

The research will include interviews of key stakeholders regarding antibiotic stewardship in acute care facilities in India, a document review of antibiograms, antibiotic usage, guidelines and protocols, and creation of an implementation strategy for antibiotic stewardship activities. 

Resources:

• 2017 Seed Grant Recipients - UW-Madison Global Health Institute