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A review of the published and unpublished literature on bacterial resistance in human and animals was performed.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.
