Antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens in Central Africa: a review of the published literature between 1955 and 2008

E. Vlieghe (1) , M.F. Phoba (2) , J.J. Muyembe Tamfun (2) , J. Jacobs (1)

1 Department of Clinical Sciences
2 INRB - Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale [Kinshasa]

A systematic review of the published literature on bacterial resistance in Central Africa between 1955 and 2008 was performed. Eighty-three publications from seven countries were retrieved, the majority presenting data on enteric and other Gram- negative pathogens. Despite methodological limitations in many studies, alarming resistance rates are noted in nearly all pathogens. Of special concern are multidrug resistance in and spp. and the emergence of meticillin-resistant , high-level penicillin-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamases among Gram-negative pathogens. These findings make clear that the Central African region shares the worldwide trend of increasing antimicrobial resistance and is in urgent need of sound surveillance based on competent and affordable microbiology to provide clear data on antimicrobial resistance. These data could enable redaction of local treatment guidelines and fuel national and regional policies to contain antimicrobial resistance.

Mots clés: Drug resistance; Antibacterial agents; Central Africa; Surveillance review

E. Vlieghe, M.F. Phoba, J.J. Muyembe Tamfun, J. Jacobs. Antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens in Central Africa: a review of the published literature between 1955 and 2008. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 2009, 34 (4), pp.295. ⟨10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2009.04.015⟩. ⟨hal-00556348⟩