Microbiotalk : short conferences on antimicrobial resistance

Are you familiar with the MicrobioTalks? This new conference series, created by the Biocodex Microbiota Institute, has a bold ambition: sharing microbiota science beyond borders!

Alternating between short presentations and discussions, the MicrobioTalks bring together experts from around the world to present their research, share the latest scientific advancements related to microbiomes, or offer valuable insights based on their experiences. Researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, representatives of patient associations, and public authorities take turns demonstrating the crucial role microbiota play in our health.

Created 24 October 2024
Updated 14 March 2025
Photo: Microbiotalk - header AMR

About this article

Created 24 October 2024
Updated 14 March 2025
Microbiotalk - AMR - Vanessa Carter

Vanessa Carter

Patient and public involvement is key in tackling AMR

Microbiotalk - AMR - Etienne Ruppe (test)

Pr. Etienne Ruppé

The intestinal microbiota and antibiotic resistance

Microbiotalk - AMR - Soren

Pr. Søren Johannes Sørensen

Antibiotic resistance and infant gut microbiome

Microbiotalk - AMR - Elitsa Penkova

Elitsa Penkova

Antimicrobial resistance in rivers - a public health risk ?

Microbiotalk - AMR - Edith

Edith Odeh

Ampiclox and contraception, raise awareness on AMR

Microbiotalk - AMR - Greatman

Greatman Adiela Owhor

The 100 AMR stewards project

Launched during the WAAW 2024 campaign, this conference series offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of microbiota as well as exploring major public health challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance, digestive diseases, the resistome, the importance of the first 1,000 days of life, women’s health, and more.

Check out the content of the very first Microbiotalk here on Antimicrobial Resistance.

Microbiotalk - AMR banner - Vanessa Carter

Vanessa Carter

Patient and public involvement is key in tackling AMR

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"Antibiotic resistance isn’t discussed enough with patients, and many don’t understand the basics. By teaching people about the proper use of antibiotics we can empower them to be part of the solution"

3 key messages

  • Struggle with a Resistant Infection: Vanessa Carter shared her personal experience of battling a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, which required multiple surgeries and antibiotic treatments over a nine-year period after a car accident. 

  • Importance of Awareness on Antibiotic Resistance: She emphasized the lack of communication and awareness about antibiotic resistance (AMR) with patients, which motivated her to establish a charity, the AMR Narrative, to educate and raise awareness among the public and patients on this crucial issue.

  • Multidisciplinary and International Collaboration: Vanessa highlighted the importance of collaboration among various medical specialists and seeking international advice to treat her complex infection, illustrating the need for a global and coordinated approach in managing resistant infections.

Download her presentation

Microbiotalk - AMR banner - Etienne Ruppé

Pr. Etienne Ruppé

The intestinal microbiota and antibiotic resistance

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"HCPs must communicate antibiotic resistance clearly to patients, as misunderstandings persist. We should focus on the broader environment rather than blaming microbiota for resistance."

3 key messages

  • Role of the Intestinal Microbiota in Antibiotic Resistance: The intestinal microbiota, which includes a vast array of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in harboring both commensal and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria. The balance within this microbiota is essential for preventing the overgrowth of resistant bacteria.

  • Impact of Antibiotics on Microbiota and Resistance: Antibiotic use disrupts the equilibrium of the gut microbiota, reducing its diversity and allowing resistant bacteria to thrive. This disruption can lead to increased risk of infections, environmental spread, and cross-transmission in healthcare settings.

  • Importance of Understanding and Preserving Commensal Bacteria: While commensal bacteria in the gut carry many antibiotic-resistant genes, these genes are not easily transferred to pathogens. Maintaining a healthy population of these commensal bacteria is vital, as they play a protective role and their resistance is generally not harmful.

Download his presentation

Microbiotalk - AMR banner - Søren Johannes Sørensen

Pr. Søren Johannes Sørensen

Antibiotic resistance and infant gut microbiome

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"Children treated frequently with antibiotics from an early age carry more antibiotic-resistant genes, especially E. coli, with resistance influenced by antibiotics taken by their mothers, affecting long-term health."

3 key messages

  • Early Establishment of Antibiotic Resistance in Children: Research on Danish children shows that antibiotic resistance can be established as early as one year old. Children exposed to antibiotics early in life, or whose mothers took antibiotics during pregnancy, are more likely to carry a high number of antibiotic-resistant genes.

  • Factors Influencing Antibiotic Resistance: Various factors influence the presence of antibiotic resistance in children, including urban living, antibiotic use, and even having pets. The study found that children in urban areas had higher resistance, while living in the countryside or those with pets had lower resistance.

  • Co-selection and Gene Exchange Among Bacteria: Antibiotic resistance genes are often co-located with other resistance and virulence genes on mobile genetic elements. This allows bacteria to exchange these genes, increasing the risk of spreading resistance and making pathogens more virulent.

Download his presentation

Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?

Learn more
Microbiotalk - AMR banner - Elitsa Penkova

Elitsa Penkova

Antimicrobial resistance in rivers - a public health risk ?

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"Antibiotics we take end up in waste, polluting rivers with resistant bacteria, affecting public health, like wild swimmers."

3 key messages

  • Rivers as Reservoirs for Antibiotic Resistance: Rivers contain environmental bacteria that have developed diverse resistance mechanisms over millennia. These bacteria can transfer resistance genes to clinically important pathogens, making rivers significant reservoirs for antibiotic resistance.

  • Impact of Wastewater on River Microbiota: Human and animal waste, along with antimicrobial compounds, are continuously introduced into rivers through wastewater. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove antibiotic-resistant genes, leading to the enrichment of rivers with these genes, especially during heavy rainfalls when untreated sewage is discharged.

  • Public Health Risks for Freshwater Swimmers: Exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in rivers poses a public health risk, particularly for freshwater swimmers. Studies have shown that swimming in freshwater can increase the risk of acquiring resistant infections, highlighting the need for more research on the impact of antimicrobial resistance in natural water environments.

Download her presentation

Microbiotalk - AMR banner - Edith Odeh

Edith Odeh

Ampiclox and contraception, raise awareness on AMR

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"Raising awareness about reproductive health is key in communities where many women are misinformed. Knowledge empowers and improves society."

3 key messages

  • Inspiration and Commitment to Evidence-Based Medicine: Edith's early experience as a community pharmacist, successfully treating a child with severe diarrhea using probiotics, inspired her commitment to evidence-based medicine and led her to develop a grant project focused on reproductive health and safe contraception methods in Nigeria.

  • Community Outreach and Education: The project reached seven communities, engaging 20% of the population in each, and provided educational materials on contraception and antibiotics. By collaborating with community leaders and healthcare professionals, the project successfully reduced unwanted pregnancies and improved responsible antibiotic use.

  • Sustainable Impact and Future Plans: The reproductive health facility in North Delta State built thanks to the grant received will serve as a center for support and education, aiming to build stronger partnerships and empower communities with accurate reproductive health knowledge.

Download her presentation

Microbiotalk - AMR banner - Greatman Adiela

Greatman Adiela Owhor

The 100 AMR stewards project

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"This project was to empower professionals and caregivers, and implement robust antibiotic stewardship initiatives in healthcare settings."

3 key messages

  • Empowerment and Training of AMR Stewards: The 100 AMR Stewards Project aimed to empower 100 individuals across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones to carry out local antimicrobial resistance (AMR) projects. These stewards were trained to understand AMR issues specific to their regions and supported in executing measurable local projects.

  • Extensive Online Engagement: The project began with a four-month online campaign that reached over 600,000 Nigerians through platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. This campaign raised awareness about AMR and engaged the public on related issues.

  • Significant Impact and Future Plans: The stewards' projects led to a more than 70% increase in AMR knowledge in some regions. The success of these initiatives has motivated the team to continue expanding their efforts, with plans to train more local representatives and build stronger partnerships for sustainable impact.

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