Strauss, Gary

Zowawi, Hosam

University of Queensland eSpace

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/hosam-zowawi-explorer-moments-superbug-testing-for-
antibiotic-resistance.html
Explorer Moments
Squashing Superbugs May
Take a Superhero
Microbiologist Hosam Zowawi is developing testing to rapidly identify antibiotic-
resistant bacteria.
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Hosam Zowawi examines antibiotic-resistant bacteria at the University of
Queensland's Centre for Clinical Research in Brisbane, Australia.
P H O T O G R A P H  B Y  J U L I A N  K I N G M A ,  R O L E X  A W A R D S
By Gary Strauss
P U B L I S H E D  O C T O B E R  3 1 ,  2 0 1 6
If clinical microbiologists were Hollywood superheroes, Hosam
Zowawi would undoubtedly be Superbug Fighter.
In reality, Zowawi is more accustomed to wearing a white lab coat
or, when playing his favorite sport, a polo uniform—his team is the
Superbug Slayers.
But in the cloistered venues of bacterial research and the broader
arena of health awareness, the Rolex Laureate is a leader in the combat
against superbugs, the often deadly strains of bacteria and microbes
immune to antibiotics.
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Superbugs already claim an estimated 700,000 lives globally each
year, but they could unleash a far deadlier health crisis. By some estimates,
superbug-related deaths could mushroom to 10 million deaths annually by
2050, more than cancer.
Zowawi and his daughter, Laila, sort through educational posters about using
proper hygiene to avoid bacterial infections.
P H O T O G R A P H  B Y  J U L I A N  K I N G M A ,  R O L E X  A W A R D S
Superbugs have made a swelling number of infections—including
pneumonia, blood poisoning, tuberculosis, and gonorrhea—more difficult
to treat with traditional antibiotics. And widespread “phantom” superbugs
carrying antibiotic-resistant genetic material that can avoid routine
detection are popping up in regions such as the Middle East. Moreover,
new superbugs are routinely being discovered.
“The possible nightmare scenario of normally treatable infections
not being treatable is a major threat to human health now and in the
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future,’’ says Zowawi, who is developing diagnostic tests that would reduce
the time to identify bacteria to just three to four hours—down from up to
three days. That would potentially allow doctors to target bacterial
infections more quickly and treat them with the proper medications rather
than using trial-and-error methodology or prescribing antibiotics when
they aren't required.
Zowawi discusses research with colleagues at the University of Queensland.
P H O T O G R A P H  B Y  J U L I A N  K I N G M A ,  R O L E X  A W A R D S
Zowawi's Rapid Superbug test searches bacteria for genes that make
beta-lactamase enzymes, which allow bacteria to destroy antibiotics such
as penicillin and carbapenems. He's also identifying a test that can find
bacteria prone to developing antibiotic resistance.
Education is also key, says Zowawi, noting World Antibiotic
Awareness Week November 16 to 22, a World Health Organization
campaign designed to promote smarter use of antibiotics, boost awareness
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F R O M  T H E  W E B Sponsored By ZergNet
of antibiotic resistance, and promote basic steps to prevent infection, such
as washing hands thoroughly with soap.
Zowawi also plans to continue alerting the public about superbugs
and hopes to reach up to 15 countries by 2017. In many parts of the world,
antibiotics are available without prescription, allowing people to take the
wrong antibiotics or take them when they aren't necessary. Misuse of
antibiotics fuels bacterial resistance. "Health promotion and education can
improve awareness of antimicrobial resistance,'' he says.
The Saudi native made superbugs a career focus while he was
completing his microbiology degree at Saudi Arabia’s Umm Al-Qura
University. On an internship in a clinical lab and later as an infection
control trainee at a Jeddah hospital, he began learning about patients
infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Some were in the hospital for
routine operations and caught a superbug. Some became so sick that they
died.
“The last thing they needed was a hospital-acquired infection given
to them by health services that could lead to disability or death,’’ says
Zowawi, now working on his doctorate degree at Australia's University of
Queensland.
Zowawi says fighting superbugs will take a super effort that goes
beyond research and education.
“Even if we have new antibiotics, bacteria will figure out a way to
overcome them,’’ he says. “But I’m optimistic that we can tackle this.”
National Geographic produced this content as part of a
partnership with the Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
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Squashing Superbugs May Take a Superhero

https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:699294/Squashing_Superbugs_May_Take_a_Superhero.pdf

Squashing Superbugs May Take a Superhero

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