A study led by University of Galway has revealed that swans in the Greater Dublin and Co Kildare area frequently carry antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in their guts that are very similar to those that cause difficult-to-treat infections in humans. The findings, from the research project titled WILD-AMR, indicate that swans living in urban waterways can act as a reservoir for pathogenic, multidrug-resistant bacteria, including some that are resistant to last-resort antibiotics. AMR is one of the most pressing global health challenges as it affects human and animal health, agriculture, food systems, and the environment. Working with the Irish Midland Ringing Group, faecal samples from 17 swans living in several locations around the Greater Dublin Area, including Broadmeadow Estuary in Swords, Bray harbour, Newbridge, Co Kildare, and along the Grand Canal in Dublin city were collected for analysis. Of the 17 samples, 11 were positive for one or more AMR bacteria, with 35 AMR bacteria detected overall. The most common type of AMR bacteria detected were multidrug-resistant E. coli that produced enzymes capable of breaking down beta-lactam antibiotics (ESBL-E. coli). The WILD-AMR project adopted a One Health approach to tracking the spread of AMR pathogens, investigating the links between human, animal and environmental health. The research team explored whether wild animals living and feeding in human impacted habitats were potential vectors of AMR. Key findings include: A high prevalence of AMR was detected in swans, with 65% positive for one or more AMR “superbug” Resistance to last-resort antimicrobials: The team detected strains of E. coli resistant to the last-resort antibiotics carbapenems and colistin, which are reserved for use when the first and second-line antimicrobials fail to clear the infection “High-risk clones”: whole genome sequencing revealed that over half of the multidrug-resistant E. coli carried by swans belonged to “high-risk clones”; closely related pathogenic E. coli that are very good at causing urinary tract and blood stream infections in humans.             Lead researcher of the study Aneta Kovarova, Senior Technical Officer in the School of Medicine at University of Galway, said: “We detected the same pathogenic AMR E. coli in multiple swans, both from those living in the same location and those living in different locations. It is likely that the high rate of detection of these AMR bacteria in swans is linked to human-associated pollution of their shared water habitat with treated and untreated wastewaters and through storm water overflows. However direct spread from swan to swan cannot be ruled out.”             Principal Investigator Dr Liam Burke, Lecturer in Bacteriology in the School of Medicine at University of Galway, said: “Given their proximity to humans and their presence in many popular bathing and recreation locations, such as city parks, lakes, harbours and coastal areas, there is potential for ongoing spread of drug-resistant opportunistic pathogens in swan faeces. Overall, this research underscores the interconnectedness of environmental, animal and human health. Our findings suggest that swans may be an under-recognised vector of AMR bacteria. “There is currently very little surveillance of AMR in wildlife. We propose that swans may represent a useful “sentinel” wildlife species for One Health monitoring of AMR, as they are already monitored by ringing in many countries.” The study, published in the Science of the Total Environment, is available here.       The study was funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Health Service Executive.  Ends

University of Galway medic receives €50,000 Health Research Board award for further research Andrew Murphy, a Professor of General Practice at University Galway, has been awarded the Health Research Board Impact Award for 2025. Professor Murphy, who specialises in primary care research and is a practising GP in Turloughmore, Co Galway, received the award for his exceptional influence on policy and practice in the Irish healthcare system. Dr Mairéad O Driscoll, chief executive at the Health Research Board, said: “Professor Murphy has had an incredible impact on chronic disease management in primary care and he has been influential in significant innovations in GP practice that have been implemented nationwide. The international standing of Andrew’s work, is evidenced by his role in government advisory groups in Germany and Norway in addition to the national recognition of his work and positions of policy influence at home.” Professor Murphy said: “GP-led primary care has led to significant improvement in effectiveness of treatment, patient convenience and cost. HRB funded research across many disciplines has been really important in providing the evidence to support these proposed innovation. The driver of all my research is that general practice has the potential to deliver high-quality care, both chronic and acute, which significantly improves patients’ lives and is highly cost effective.   “When I qualified as a GP in 1992, the care was reactive. But thanks in part to research funding from the HRB over the years, outcomes for patients have improved hugely because of the development of GP-led primary care. Research funding helps provide the data and evidence needed for service development and opens the door to multi-disciplinary collaborations which are crucial to creating robust recommendations.” University of Galway’s Professor Molly Byrne, who nominated Professor Murphy for this year’s award, said: “I believe this award is extremely well-deserved as it acknowledges Andrew’s substantial impact in building a collegial and supportive research community. Over the last 25 years, Andrew has enabled, supported and empowered many researchers to conduct research which really impacts on delivery of health services in practice and addresses the most pressing needs of patients in primary care.” Professor Murphy has led a programme of research seeking to improve prevention of secondary heart disease in primary care since 2000 and he has been influential in significant innovations in GP practice that have been implemented nationwide. A HRB research award in 2002 supported Professor Murphy’s seminal all-island research on cardiac disease prevention in general practice. The then largest general practice trial, it is the first general practice paper ever to receive the prestigious Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland Award. Its key finding was that intensive, structured GP care, over eighteen months to patients with existing heart disease, reduced hospital admissions from 34% to 26%. This work informed a review which found secondary cardiac prevention in general practice can extend the lives of patients by six years. Professor Murphy also contributed significantly to the founding of Heartwatch in 2003, Ireland’s first universally accessible chronic disease management programme for heart disease. An element of his work in this area led to the provision of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Medical Card holders.    Professor Murphy continued: “Over my professional lifetime, there has been a sea change, largely for the good, in Irish general practice. It is now at the epicentre of Irish healthcare. I repeatedly see the importance of this to patients where I practice in Turloughmore.” Among other achievements he has been a champion of active involvement of public and patients in health research. Professor Murphy emphasised the importance of collaboration, paying tribute to long-time collaborators Molly Byrne (health psychology), Susan Smith (general practice), Eamon O’Shea (health economics), John Newell (biostatistics), Paddy Gillespie (health economics) and Margaret Cupples (general practice). Professor Martin O’Donnell, Executive Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway and Consultant Geriatrician at Galway University Hospitals, congratulated Professor Murphy on the award: “This award is a reflection of Professor Murphy’s outstanding commitment to research that has directly shaped general practice and primary care policy, both in Ireland and internationally. “His work exemplifies the University of Galway’s mission to translate research into real-world impact, improving healthcare outcomes for communities. We are proud to celebrate this achievement with him and look forward to his continued contributions to the field.” Ends

University of Galway has awarded the inaugural Meissner Scholarship to first year Bachelor of Commerce student Hannah Clancy. This new four-year scholarship supports students from Connacht who are studying at the University through the HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) programme. The scholarship offers an annual financial award and access to ongoing support from Meissner staff, as well as the opportunity for a potential work placement with Meissner.             Hannah Clancy from Dromahair, Co Leitrim, said: “I am delighted to be the first recipient of the new Meissner Scholarship. A scholarship of this calibre will allow me to focus on my studies and receive the best possible education here at University of Galway, so that I can excel in my future career. I am grateful to the management team at Meissner and to the staff of the University’s Access Centre for providing me with this incredible opportunity.”             John O’Shea, Site Lead and Director of Operations, Meissner, said: “As a company Meissner is committed to helping better the communities in which our employees and their families live. We are proud to further expand these initiatives with the addition of this scholarship in partnership with the University of Galway. “In Hannah we are supporting a person with a clear vision of what she wishes to achieve in life to help make a positive impact in her community. In awarding this scholarship, we hope to empower Hannah to achieve her goals at the University of Galway and beyond.”             Daniel Savery, Widening Participation Officer with the University of Galway Access Centre said: “We are incredibly grateful to Meissner for their generosity in supporting our students at University of Galway. The Access Centre supports students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education, ensuring that our university student body reflects the diversity we find more broadly in society. The Meissner Scholarship will help to ensure the most in need will have the financial resources to reach their full potential.” Meissner is Headquartered in Camarillo, California, with its European manufacturing facility situated in Castlebar, Co Mayo. Meissner designs and manufactures advanced microfiltration products and One-Touch® Single-Use Systems for use in critical applications across the Pharmaceutical, Bioprocessing, Biologicals, Laboratory, Microelectronics, Industrial, and Chemical industries. Ends