UQCCR Seminar Series - Dr Emma Sweeney and Dr Karen Davies

A lack of drugs for ‘sexy’ bugs: enhancing individualised treatment of the STI superbug, Mycoplasma genitalium by Dr Emma Sweeney

Overview: Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually-transmitted bacteria which has become increasingly challenging to treat, due to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In 2019, M. genitalium was added to the Centre for Disease Control AMR threats ‘watch list’, and currently more than 50% of M. genitalium globally are resistant to macrolides, while resistance to fluoroquinolones (another recommended treatment) is now alarmingly high in Australia. With limited alternative treatments with efficacy against M. genitalium, we in a very precarious situation where we need to be making the best use of all available antimicrobials, and diagnostic tools to facilitate this are urgently needed. Emma will discuss the landscape of diagnostic tools to guide treatment for M. genitalium, including new assays which have been developed as part of her REDI Industry Fellowship with molecular diagnostics company, SpeeDx.

Bio: Dr Emma Sweeney is a postdoctoral researcher in the Molecular Diagnostics and Characterisation laboratory, based at UQCCR. Emma’s research primarily focuses on the development of molecular diagnostic tools to detect and characterise antimicrobial resistance. Emma recently completed a Researcher Exchange and Development with Industry (REDI) fellowship, where she has been developing the next-generation of diagnostic tools to individualise treatment for the STI superbug, Mycoplasma genitalium. Emma was also recently awarded a prestigious UQ Partnerships in Research Translational Excellence Award for her collaboration with Industry partner, SpeeDx Pty Ltd.

Infectious Disease Prevention Strategies using the Medication Administration Evaluation and Feedback Tool (MAEFT): Translation into Practice by Dr Karen Davies

Overview: From bench to bedside requires a collaborative multidisciplinary team to ensure current infection prevention strategies are not only available but routinely practiced in patient care. From lab, research, pathology, prescribing, supply, available access and correct administration of medicines all required. The Medication Administration Evaluation and Feedback Tool (MAEFT) can demonstrate how infection prevention strategies are delivered in routine practice at the bedside.

Bio: Dr Davies RN PhD is a Nurse Research Fellow with the Herston Infectious Diseases Institute (HeIDI), Metro North Health, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, and Lecturer Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland. Karen is an infectious disease nurse researcher with a special interest in intravenous antimicrobial administration and vascular access management. Karen’s speciality is in safe medication practice having conducted her PhD at the University of Queensland designing a tool to evaluate nurses medication administration standard of practice and continues this program of work with postdoctoral studies.