Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including antibiotic resistance, pose major challenges to animal husbandry and global food security. Addressing these issues requires research based on a One Health approach and carried out in a global context. This page highlights SLU’s research and publications in the field.

A selection of projects, publications and researchers

Antimicrobial resistance

A selection of scientific publications by SLU researchers on antimicrobial resistance from the SLU publication database (SLUpub). Select an organism group below to explore the publication lists.
Visit SLUpub to explore our scientific publications
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INTERVJU

Susanna is SLU's new professor in One Health and antimicrobial resistance

I want to strengthen SLU’s AMR work within the One Health concept, connect research groups to address this complex challenge, and increase the visibility of SLU’s One Health research both nationally and globally.

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Interview

Safe food and healthy people – how One Health research makes a difference

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), livestock are vital sources of food, income and nutrition. However, when animals are kept close to people, and when animals and foods are sold at traditional markets with inadequate hygiene and biosecurity, the risk of spreading bacteria that cause disease or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) increases.

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Interview

Working across disciplines to tackle antibiotic resistance

At the Uppsala Antibiotic Center (UAC), we work across disciplines to tackle antibiotic resistance. We bring together researchers from, for example, medicine, biology, pharmacy, chemistry, technology, and social sciences at Uppsala University and SLU, among others. At UAC we believe that no single field can solve this problem alone.

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New PhD

Sectors must work together to combat antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a true One Health issue because bacteria are rarely limited to one animal species or location. This means that resistance that develops in livestock can spread to humans ‒ for example, through direct contact, the environment, or animal-source foods.

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NEW PHD

How breakdown products from antibiotics and antivirals impact rivers and lakes

Our results show that some antibiotic transformation products might retain antibacterial activity , which could be of interest to other sectors within One Health, especially considering the issue of antimicrobial resistance

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New PhD

Salmonellosis transmission involves multiple sectors

This study is strongly aligned with the One Health research approach because the study focuses on how salmonellosis transmission involves multiple sectors: human health risks through the food chain, animal health issues from livestock production to retail meat, and environmental contributors that promote contamination from farms to markets.

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REPORT

"The Swedish experience" - a summary on the Swedish efforts towards a low and prudent use of antibiotics in animal production

The report summarises the Swedish work towards a low and prudent use of antibiotics, including figures on antibiotic use in Swedish production animals and a discussion of essential success factors and lessons learned.

Close-up of a swab in a laboratory environment.

Antimicrobial resistance – the silent pandemic

The consumption of antibiotics in the world is increasing, and bacteria are becoming ever more resistant to this vital medical tool. Here we present two stories that exemplify how SLU contributes to this fight against antimicrobial resistance.

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Policy brief

Antibiotic resistance requires research with a holistic perspective

A policy brief where researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) recommend three decisions to meet the goals of the national strategy for the fight against antibiotic resistance 2020–2023 and generate research with a clear cross-sectoral One Health perspective (in Swedish).

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Scientific publication

Campylobacter hyointestinalis ‒ more common than expected

Campylobacter is the most commonly reported cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans, and cattle are one of its potential reservoirs. A study compared different culture methods for detecting Campylobacter in cattle faeces and found C. hyointestinalis to be much more common in cattle than previously recognised. (Foto: Lisa Chröisty)

Watch webinars, films and other recordings
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EDUCATION

MOOC: Effective Livestock Production with Low Use of Antibiotics

Learn what antibiotic resistance is and how to prevent it while increasing productivity among your livestock in this massive open online course.

Antibiotic Resistance and Veterinary Medicine

Antibiotic resistance is a global threat to human and animal health. Resistant bacteria are not killed by antibiotics and therefore infections caused by such bacteria can be impossible to cure. Professor Susanna Sternberg Lewerin tells us more about this serious problem in both human and veterinary medicine. The lecture is in English.

Watch the lecture on SLU Play

Sustainable food production and food security

Watch the Worth Knowing lecture with Professor Lotta Berg on food sustainability and food security. Consumers, farmers and animals are affected by our food choices – and how we can work together to contribute to a more sustainable future. The lecture is in English.

Watch the lecture on SLU Play

Antimicrobial resistance in the environment

This film gives a short introduction to the importance of studying antimicrobial resistance in the environment, more specifically in the water. An introduction is given by professor Foon Yin Lai, and more in depth explanations by doctoral students Paul Löffler and Valentina Ugolini.

Watch the lecture on SLU Play

Bacteria, for better or worse.

Professor Ingrid Hansson studies bacteria that cause disease in animals – and sometimes in humans. By exploring bacterial traits and transmission routes, she develops strategies to limit their spread and improve the health of both animals and people.

Watch the lecture on SLU Play (in Swedish)

Säker mat och folkhälsa - ett globalt ansvar

Sofia Boqvists är professor i veterinär folkhälsovetenskap med inriktning mot livsmedelssäkerhet. Hon presenterar forskning om hur smittor sprids i livsmedelskedjan och vilka åtgärder som kan stärka säker mat, folkhälsa och global livsmedelsförsörjning.

Se föreläsningen på SLU Play