Ask an expert

Björn Rönnerstrand Researcher in political science, telephone: +46 73–7781 789, e-mail: bjorn.ronnerstrand@pol.gu.se

Rönnerstrand has shown that corruption contributes to over-prescription of antibiotics in Europe. There are differences both between as well as within countries, when it comes to number of prescriptions of antibiotics. Björn is also interested in questions such as, what else can persuade a patient to abstain from an antibiotic treatment, if and when it is medically reasoned. 

Christian Munthe, professor in practical philosophy, e-mail: christian.munthe@gu.se

Christian Munthe listens to and answers questions about ethical dimensions surrounding antibiotic resistance. For example, questions dealing with conflicting values between personal and societal needs, businesses and social interests. Also, what kind of conflicts may arise at hospitals between patients and health care personnel when the patients demand antibiotic prescriptions in cases when the medical usefulness is doubtful? Christian can similarly guide non-scholars (and experts) about antibiotics in agriculture, concerning the fact that different countries have different rules and regulations regarding individual’s rights to buy what antibiotics they want, and industrial pollution during manufacturing of antibiotics.

Joakim Larsson, professor in Environmental Pharmacology, telephone: +46 70–962 1068, +46 31–342 4625, e-mail: joakim.larsson@fysiologi.gu.se

Joakim Larsson has conducted research on pharmaceuticals in the environment for over 20 years. His research on discharges from industries that manufactur pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, near the Indian city Hyderabad has led to international attention on many occasions. Joakim’s research is primarily focused on what role the external environment has on emergence of antibiotic resistance, the actual occurrence of, and the transmission (between bacteria and different microbial ecosystems) of antibiotic resistance. In addition, he has had continuous international interactions with UNEP, UNDP, WHO, FAO, EFPIA, the European commission and the CDC, and has in several cases influenced their activities and priorities. Joakim is the director of CARe – Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research at UGOT. 

Anne Farewell, Associated professor in microbiology, telephone: +46 31–786 2583, e-mail: anne.farewell@cmb.gu.se

Anne Farewell is specifically interested in basic biological mechanisms that affect gene regulation and the transfer of genetic elements consisting antibiotic resistance between bacteria. 

Jonas Warringer, Associate professor in molecular evolution, telephone: +46 31−786 3961, e-mail: jonas.warringer@cmb.gu.se

Jonas Warringer is a geneticist and, together with Anne Farewell, is working with Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. They investigate how resistance genes are transferred between bacteria. The goal is to find genetic or molecular targets for, and which can lead to development of new drugs that would inhibit gene transfer and thus slow down the transmission rates of antibiotic resistance elements between bacteria. 

Carl-Fredrik Flach, Associate professor in medical microbiology, telephone: +46 31–342 4655, e-mail: carl-fredrik.flach@microbio.gu.se

Carl-Fredrik Flach is a specialist in emergence and selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria as well as transmission of resistance elements between bacteria in sewage water. Carl-Fredrik also develops sewage monitoring systems in order to survey antibiotic resistant bacteria in humans

Christina ”Tinna” Åhrén, Physician and researcher in infectious disease, telephone: +46 702182814, e-mail: christina.ahren@vgregion.se

Christina ”Tinna” Åhrén is physician and scientist and has a deep knowledge of how it works in the health care sector (in Sweden), when it comes to reduce occurrence of antibiotic resistance and also how to prevent transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Tinna is the head of Strama in western Sweden Strama VGR) at the regional patient safety device. Strama VGR is part of the Swedish Strama-network (founded 1995) who’s goal is to stop the dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria within Sweden. 

Gunnar Jacobsson, chief physician and medical doctor in infectious disease, telephone: +46 76–945 3929, e-mail: gunnar.jacobsson@vgregion.se

Gunnar Jacobsson is chief physician at Skaraborg hospital and is very knowledgeable about the use of antibiotics in health care. He is also very familiar with many case studies on the subject. Gunnar also works on the network Tight VGR, whose goal is to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria and in Sweden.