In a groundbreaking achievement, Abdullahi Jamiu, a researcher in microbiology, at the University of the Free State, South Africa, has emerged at the forefront of the battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and infectious diseases, through the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
In a recent interview, he highlighted the critical need to understand the mechanisms by which emerging and re-emerging pathogens cause disease. This knowledge is essential for designing effective medical countermeasures, including drugs and vaccines. His remarks are especially pertinent in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, as of March 2021, had infected over 123 million people and claimed more than 2.7 million lives across 235 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In his COVID-19 research, Abdullahi explored the potential of plant-based compounds as potent and effective inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 proteins and host proteins crucial for viral replication.
Abdullahi’s research also focuses on combating the growing threat of AMR, particularly in fungal pathogens. His groundbreaking work has demonstrated the promise of combination therapies to tackle infections once considered difficult to treat due to drug resistance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies antimicrobial resistance as a global public health crisis, responsible for at least 1.27 million deaths globally and linked to nearly 5 million deaths in 2019. In the U.S. alone, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur annually, resulting in over 35,000 deaths.
Through meticulous laboratory research and collaborations with experts in mycology, Abdullahi has shown that combining natural compounds, such as fatty acids found in everyday foods, with conventional antifungal drugs like fluconazole can reverse drug resistance in Candida species.
These combinations induce oxidative stress, disrupt fungal cell membranes, and impair efflux pump activity, rendering pathogens more susceptible to treatment. “This multidimensional approach strikes fungal pathogens through multiple pathways, leaving them no opportunity to develop resistance,” Abdullahi explained. His findings emphasize the potential of synergistic drug combinations to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce resistance, offering hope for improved therapies against resistant and hard-to-treat infections.
Abdullahi’s research is supported by the prestigious South Africa National Research Foundation funding. His work has been featured in many reputable journals, including All Life and Medical Mycology, and he has shared his findings at prominent conferences such as the World Microbe Forum and the Canadian Fungal Research Network. As an active member of professional organizations such as the American Society for Microbiology, the Canadian Fungal Network, and the South African Society for Microbiology, Abdullahi remains at the forefront of his field.
Looking ahead, Abdullahi plans to further explore novel antimicrobial combinations with natural products, optimize dosing strategies, and investigate the efficacy of these therapies in treating other resistant infections.
His pioneering efforts mark a significant advancement in the global fight against AMR and infectious diseases. As Abdullahi continues to expand his research and explore new avenues in microbiology and discovery, his contributions are poised to shape the future of treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes worldwide.
