What we do
About our project
Overarching aim: stimulating research
“Samenwerking Infectieziekten” (collaboration Infectious Diseases) is committed to a future in which research into infectious diseases is conducted faster and more efficiently. With a focus on better prevention, diagnostics and treatment, we create a safe research environment in which healthcare data remains protected.
Introduction
National infrastructure
By developing an innovative data-infrastructure that can combine local microbiological laboratory information with anonymised patient data, we enable the reuse of existing data for research into infectious diseases. This sustainable federated infrastructure, which can be used nationwide, promotes collaboration between researchers and healthcare institutions. Our approach, based on the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable), ensures that valuable insights are not only findable and accessible, but also shared for a better quality of life and patient participation. We develop the national infrastructure using pilots such as the Bioticabarometer.
The Bioticabarometer pilot project: Insight into unnecessary antibiotic use in newborns
Newborn babies are often prescribed antibiotics when they suspect bacterial infections. This is done as a precaution. Vulnerable newborns often do not have time to wait for the results of bacterial culture tests. This results in extreme overtreatment: around 97% of newborns who receive antibiotics intravenously turn out not to have needed them afterwards. This leads to a higher chance of antibiotic resistance, disrupts intestinal bacteria and can cause serious health problems. For example, antibiotic use at a young age can contribute to the development of asthma and allergies later in life. For better use of antibiotics in newborns, large-scale insight is needed into antibiotic use in each newborn and whether there was an infection. An automated overview of this is lacking, which means it cannot be determined whether adjusted guidelines contribute to improved antibiotic use. For more information on the “Samenwerking Infectieziekten” see website (Onderzoek - Samenwerking Infectieziekten).
Funds & Grants
- Stichting Immunis
- BeterKeten
- Health RI
- Erasmus MC
Publications
Our team
- Prof.dr. Jaap J. van Hellemond (Clinical parasitologist)
- Dr. Roel Streefkerk
- MSc Marleen van Doorn
- Dr. Jurriaan de Steenwinkel
