Infectious diseases in Nepal

The primary goal of OUCRU-Nepal is improving public health in Nepal and South Asia, focusing on typhoid, antimicrobial resistance, and dengue increase linked with climate change. Over the recent years, the TCV typhoid vaccine trial emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and working with policymakers. OUCRU-Nepal has built strong hospital and community relationships, boosting global visibility and collaborations.

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Abhilasha Karkey is a medical microbiologist at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Her current research focus is on antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative pathogens (Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterobacter spp) with a specific focus on the enteric pathogens Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A. She leads research studies focusing on the surveillance of resistant pathogens and works in close collaboration with hospitals to devise appropriate antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention-control programmes.

Of specific interest for her are the enteric fever pathogens, Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi. In addition to monitoring the resistance in these pathogens, she is working towards the elimination of enteric fever in Nepal: could this be a case study for the elimination of other similar infectious diseases?