Antibiotic resistance patterns in human, animal, food and environmental isolates in Ghana: a review.

Pilar García-Vello,Bruno González-Zorn,Courage Kosi Setsoafia Saba

doi:10.11604/pamj.2020.35.37.18323

Pilar García-Vello, Bruno González-Zorn + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2020.35.37.18323

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Abstract

Many articles have been published on resistant microorganisms isolated from humans, animals, foods and the environment in Ghana. However, there are no reviews that summarize the information on the isolates and antibiotics tested so far in the country. This literature review was completed through “PubMed” and “Google Scholar” searches. We included publications from the period 1975-2015 with a laboratory-based methodology to determine antibiotic resistance of strains isolated in Ghana. In total, 60 articles were included in the analysis with 10% of the articles carrying out nationwide research on antibiotic resistance. The regions of Ghana with the highest published articles were Greater Accra (40%), Ashanti (21.7%) and Northern Region (10%). Most of the studies (86.7%) were related to isolates collected from human samples followed by environmental (5%), animal (3%) and food samples (2%). Ten different bacteria genera were observed in the studies. The most common was Escherichia coli, followed by Staphylococcus spp., Mycobacterium spp. and Streptococcus spp. The highest mean resistance rate was encountered in Escherichia coli (62.2%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (60.4%) and Pseudomonas spp. (52.1%). High resistance rates have been found in Ghana, however, the data are skewed and some regions of the country have been neglected. There is a need for higher quality research to establish and monitor resistance patterns in Upper West, Brong-Ahafo, Volta and Eastern Regions of Ghana.

Highlights

The increasing problem of antibiotic resistance remains a major global health problem and causes a huge medical burden [1]
There are significant international efforts, notably the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO), working towards tackling this crisis through planned programs such as antibiotic stewardship programs coordinated by the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance of the WHO [2]
The findings of this review provide relevant evidence for further actions to address the menace of antibiotic resistance worldwide

Summary

Introduction

The increasing problem of antibiotic resistance remains a major global health problem and causes a huge medical burden [1]. This research aims to provide further information on the current antibiotic resistance problems, which may help institutions to create programs and policies to enhance antimicrobial stewardship, reduce misuse of antibiotics by health professionals and unskilled practitioners, control drug quality, limit the spread of resistant bacteria, develop adequate surveillance systems and update the Standard Treatment Guidelines of hospitals in Ghana [26]. These will help to prevent or slow the emergence of resistance among microorganisms. This review aims to inspire researchers to conduct more investigations, in neglected areas of the country

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