Abstract
A review of the published and unpublished literature on bacterial resistance in human and animals was performed. Sixty-eight articles/reports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia were reviewed. The majority of these articles were from Tanzania. There is an increasing trend in the incidence of antibiotic resistance; of major concern is the increase in multidrug- resistant Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholera, non-typhoid Salmonella and other pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections. The increase in methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers in the countries under review confirms the spread of these clones worldwide. Clinical microbiology services in these countries need to be strengthened in order to allow a coordinated surveillance for antimicrobial resistance and provide data for local treatment guidelines and for national policies to control antimicrobial resistance. While the present study does not provide conclusive evidence to associate the increasing trend in antibiotic resistance in humans with the use of antibiotics in animals, either as feed additives or veterinary prescription, we strongly recommend a one-health approach of systematic surveillance across the public and animal health sectors, as well as the adherence to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)-OIE (World Organization of animal Health) –WHO(World Health Organization) recommendations for non-human antimicrobial usage.
Highlights
The introduction of penicillin, in the early 1940s, was perceived as marking the end of infectious diseases [1]
Overview of study design and microbiological susceptibility methods A total of 68 articles published between 1990 and 2012 describing bacterial pathogens and/or antibiotic resistance in humans and animals were retrieved; all articles were included in this review
No articles describing antibiotic resistance in animals were found from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique
Summary
The introduction of penicillin, in the early 1940s, was perceived as marking the end of infectious diseases [1]. The emergence of resistant strains was reported just a few years after its use. Resistant clones to various classes of antibiotics have been found to spread worldwide [2]. More than 90% resistance has been reported to commonly used antibiotics such as penicillin, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole and gentamicin [3]. The overuse of antibiotics in human and animals has contributed to the emergence of resistant clones [4,5]. It is a fact that the availability of antimicrobials and their proper use have reduced morbidity
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