Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – Antibiotics play a crucial role in combating infectious diseases, but their effectiveness is declining worldwide as microbes adapt and develop resistance.
The University of Leeds is playing a key role in global initiatives aimed at stopping the spread of so-called ‘superbugs’.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is projected to cause up to 11.8 million deaths in South Asia between 2025 and 2050. One major factor behind this growing threat is the routine use of antibiotics for minor ailments such as toothache.
As concern over AMR growing researchers from across the world are looking into a variety of possible solutions. Researchers from the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research (IOI) recently looked into the potential of treatments for antipsychotics, antimalarials, and gut motility treatments in combatting AMR. Studies conducted over 2 years back conducted at the University of Sheffield and the University of Manchester explored how Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) has the ability to rapidly evolve its resistance to high levels of vancomycin.
In response, the University of Leeds has partnered with the Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER) in Chennai to launch a pilot study focused on community engagement among dental professionals.
As part of the project, PhD researcher Dr Aarthi Bhuvaraghan enlisted local dentists, providing them with a practical desk reference and the continued professional development (CPD) course. The results showed improved understanding and a greater readiness to adjust prescribing habits.
“Having practised in the UK and India, I realised this is a big problem and nothing was being done about it,” said Dr Bhuvaraghan. “It is difficult to blame the dental practitioners because they are not aware of the damage being done but we are positive there can be a shift in behaviour.”
The CPD module is currently being converted into a digital format and will soon be accessible for free on the Indian Dental Association’s website. This study serves as the foundation of Dr Bhuvaraghan’s PhD research at the School of Dentistry, University of Leeds.
Professor Dr S. Bhuminathan, Registrar at Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, pointed out that as a practicing dentist, he has personally seen how the dangers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are often underestimated, and how the critical contribution of dentists in tackling this challenge is commonly overlooked.
He further indicated that Dr Aarthi Bhuvaraghan’s research has powerfully revealed the widespread misuse of antibiotics in India, along with the absence of comprehensive national or regional guidelines for dental practitioners.
Professor Dr S. Bhuminathan also pointed out that crucially, her work has played a key role in increasing awareness, educating dental professionals, and thereby improving clinical standards and enhancing patient safety and thanks to her efforts, they are now in the process of embedding antimicrobial stewardship into the dental undergraduate syllabus.
Dr Aggarwal obtained funding through the University of Leeds International Research Mobilisation Awards in 2018 and the International Strategy Fund in 2023 to initiate and strengthen this collaborative initiative.
He has delivered lectures on pain management at BIHER’s dental faculty and has also worked to raise awareness among medical students about the connection between oral health and overall systemic health.
In February 2025, the University of Leeds and Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV) in India jointly organised the third International Health and Research Conference, which gathered leading global researchers, academics, and healthcare professionals to foster innovation and cross-border collaboration in health and medical science.
Among the keynote speakers was Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, who underscored the vital role of international cooperation in advancing healthcare research and education.
By adopting responsible antibiotic use, improving infection prevention, and investing in new treatments, we can slow the spread of resistance and protect future generations from a post-antibiotic era where common infections become deadly again.
