The Naked Scientists Podcast What Niger's AMR outbreak means for the world
Aug 19, 2025
Kirsty Sands, a researcher from the University of Oxford focused on antimicrobial resistance in malnourished children, joins experts Brad Spiller from the University of Cardiff and Colin Brown from the UK Health Security Agency. They discuss the rising crisis of antibiotic resistance in Niger, highlighting its ties to malnutrition and poor sanitation. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for surveillance, funding challenges, and innovative solutions in combating AMR. They address the global implications and disparities faced by vulnerable populations, urging a collective response to this escalating threat.
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Local AMR Hotspots Threaten The World
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) hotspots in low-resource countries can produce the same high-risk bacterial clones seen globally.
- Global travel, food and the environment let these clones cross borders and threaten all countries.
Selection, Not Creation, Drives Resistance
- Antibiotic use selects for pre-existing resistant bacteria and plasmid-borne genes, concentrating resistance in pathogens.
- Long-term heavy use yields near-universal resistance to older drug classes.
Five Practical Pillars To Slow AMR
- Use targeted diagnosis, stewardship, prevention, surveillance and One Health to slow AMR development.
- Pair rapid tests with hand hygiene, vaccines and reduced agricultural antibiotic use to preserve existing drugs.