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Dubai and, more broadly, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) present unique challenges and opportunities for researchers in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). More than 200 different nationalities live and work in the country and it is a popular destination for leisure and medical tourism. Scholars at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) in Dubai have conducted extensive studies on AMR in the Arabian Gulf region. Abiola Senok, chair of basic medical sciences and professor of microbiology and infectious diseases at MBRU’s College of Medicine, explains: “Bugs don’t need passports and move freely across international borders. Despite robust infection control practices and ongoing surveillance, AMR remains a significant challenge globally.”

Senok is a member of the National AMR Surveillance Committee and the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group, which are national committees under the auspices of the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention. “Vaccines are part of our arsenal in the fight against AMR,” she says. “If we can stop infections, we can reduce the use of antibiotics and this, in turn, reduces AMR.” 

 

MBRU has made a number of research breakthroughs in the study of AMR. Senok is spearheading an innovative project, in collaboration with a consortium of national and international researchers, focusing on wastewater-based surveillance for AMR. This initiative has secured a collaborative grant from the UAE and the US National Institutes of Health to establish a comprehensive framework for AMR surveillance. “Wastewater is a great source of research because you can look at a whole population with a bird’s eye view,” says Senok. This can also be expanded as a framework to study other infectious pathogens and investigate outbreaks. We champion the One Health concept, which is a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach that recognises the shared environment between humans and other living organisms and its influence on global health. “We are working across the One Health spectrum to investigate AMR in the UAE,” Senok says. 

Senok is also involved in research on infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). “We evaluated a rapid lateral flow assay for the detection of MRSA isolates that carry the Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin, which drives skin and soft tissue infections caused by MRSA,” she says. Rapid identification of these in the clinical setting will have a significant impact on judicious antibiotic use, promoting good antibiotic stewardship and enhancing the clinical outcomes for patients. “We currently use a multiomics approach to investigate MRSA isolates circulating in the UAE. Our work has identified novel MRSA strains in our population and the potential drivers for MRSA evolution.”

 

Another high-profile study, conducted in partnership with Dubai Police and Bond University in Australia, looked at the extent of microbial contamination in the healthcare environment as well as on the mobile phones and smartwatches of healthcare workers. Samples were investigated using metagenomics next-generation sequencing technology to enable researchers to identify the organisms contaminating such devices. “I am very proud of this work because we didn’t just identify a problem but also a solution, such as the use of rapid UV decontamination devices for mobile phones,” says Senok.

Senok, who is a former general secretary of the Emirates Society of Clinical Microbiology, is a passionate believer in sharing her knowledge with students so future generations understand the importance of tackling AMR. Students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at MBRU undertake research alongside faculty members. The team also collaborates with academic institutions, healthcare facilities, industry partners and government bodies to advance efforts in combating AMR and strengthening public health for future generations.

about the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences.