Tiny Test Tubes to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance in Dairy Farming in India

愿景我们的长期目标是应对AMR水平上升的挑战，AMR水平上升导致奶牛难以治疗的乳腺炎（减少家庭收入）和无法治疗的人类感染导致牛奶产量下降。虽然印度是世界上最大的牛奶生产国，但大多数奶牛场并没有工业化-相反，成千上万的小农场在当地提供牛奶。家庭收入依赖于健康的奶牛和布法罗，但由于抗生素的广泛使用导致AMR水平升高，细菌感染（乳腺炎）变得越来越难以治疗。我们将通过设计可在中心实验室外使用的简单AMR检测产品来支持农村农民这一弱势群体。抗生素耐药性传播迅速，耐药细菌不仅危害动物，限制生产力，而且对人类健康构成重大威胁，特别是在印度，家庭与奶牛的距离很近。如果没有监测和准确的数据，就不可能控制抗生素耐药性，但抗生素耐药性的测量困难且昂贵。目前的测试是缓慢的（>2天）和费力的，并且只能在限制样品数量的微生物实验室中进行。CFT开发了一种简单的标准测试的微型版本，不仅简化了实验室测试，而且允许在集中实验室之外进行测试。结果通过智能手机摄像头记录，测试设备可以低成本大规模生产（CFT已经生产<0.50英镑/测试），从而可以大规模部署到印度等新兴市场。每头感染乳腺炎的奶牛需要花费农民10英镑进行治疗并损失生产力。这项技术可以帮助解决印度奶牛养殖中的AMR问题。可行性研究第一阶段的研究旨在设计特定的产品来帮助解决印度奶牛养殖中的AMR问题。与印度合作伙伴合作，我们将优化具有最大潜力的产品，使受耐药乳腺炎影响的最脆弱人群受益。在印度的预期影响具有成本效益的AMR监测至关重要，在当地允许选择有效的抗生素，在全国支持政府网络。家庭农场将避免因乳腺炎治疗不当而造成的经济损失，我们的创新也符合印度政府最近发布的《国家乳品发展行动计划》。生产力的提高将使一些农民能够进入不断扩大的城市市场，并开辟出口途径;但出口需要更严格的抗生素耐药性监测和抗生素控制。公共卫生将受益于AMR监测，降低耐药人类感染的风险。CFT将与印度生物技术行业合作，共同开发产品，推动创造就业机会，扩大创新能力。

VisionOur long-term goal is to tackle the challenge of rising AMR levels that leads to reduced milk production through hard-to-treat mastitis in dairy cattle (cutting family income), and untreatable human infections. Although India is the world's largest milk producing nation, most dairy farms are not industrialised- instead thousands of small farms provide milk locally. Family income is dependent on healthy cows and buffalo, yet bacterial infection (mastitis) is becoming harder to treat as widespread antibiotic use drives high AMR levels. We will support this vulnerable population of rural farmers by designing simple AMR testing products that can be used outside central labs. AMR spreads rapidly and drug-resistant bacteria not only harms animals and limits productivity but also presents a major human health threat, especially in India where families live in close proximity to dairy cattle.Without monitoring and accurate data, it is impossible to control AMR, but AMR is difficult and expensive to measure. Current tests are slow (\>2 days) and laborious and can only be performed in microbiology laboratories limiting the number of samples. CFT has developed a simple, miniature version of standard tests which not only simplifies lab testing, but allows testing outside centralised labs. Results are recorded by smartphone camera and test devices can be mass-produced at low cost (CFT already manufactures <£0.50/test) allowing large-scale deployment to new and emerging markets such as India. Mastitis costs farmers £10 per infected cow through treatment and lost productivity. This technology can help tackle AMR in dairy farming in India.Feasibility studyThis phase 1 study aims to design specific products to help tackle AMR in dairy farming in India. Working with Indian partners we will optimise a product with maximum potential to benefit the most vulnerable people affected by drug-resistant mastitis.Envisaged impacts in IndiaCost-effective monitoring of AMR is essential, locally to permit selection of effective antibiotics, and nationally to support government networks. Family farms will avoid economic losses from poorly treated mastitis, and our innovation also aligns with the Indian Government's recently published National Action Plan for Dairy Development. Increased productivity will allow some farmers to access expanding urban markets and a pathway to export; but export requires more stringent AMR monitoring and antibiotic control. Public health will benefit from AMR surveillance by lowering risk of drug-resistant human infections. CFT will partner with Indian biotechnology industry to co-develop products, driving job creation and expanding innovation capacity.