Tackling the Growing Threat of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Strategies, and the Way Forward.
4 affiliations
- 1Antimicrobial Resistance and Bacteriophage Biology Section Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) Nairobi Kenya.
- 2Health Program International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Nairobi Kenya ilri.org.
- 3Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research Division of Microbiology and Infection University of Leicester Leicester UK le.ac.uk.
- 4Department of Biochemistry Microbiology & Biotechnology Kenyatta University Nairobi Kenya ku.ac.ke.
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dangerous pathogen that has shown multidrug resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and has significantly impacted healthcare, where poor infection control and limited resources are common. This narrative review examines strategies in the SSA region to control this pathogen, reports its prevalence, highlights key challenges, and suggests future research. Studies published between 2010 and 2025 in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on AMR surveillance, prevalence, infection control, and treatment strategies for AMR P. aeruginosa in SSA, were reviewed. Data were qualitatively and quantitatively summarized and mapped as descriptive median resistance (%) across SSA countries in a geographic heatmap. The results, illustrated in the heatmap, reveal substantial median resistance to common first-line agents, whereas significant data gaps indicate a critical lack of standardized surveillance in the region. Nations such as South Africa and Kenya have progressed with surveillance and stewardship programs. However, challenges persist in other countries, especially in diagnostics, access to new antibiotics, and infection control. New emerging therapies, including phage therapy and new antibiotics, have shown promise but are limited by regulatory frameworks, costs, and availability. Infection prevention measures are equally weak, resulting in high infection rates due to overcrowding and inadequate hygiene facilities. A more integrated approach that strengthens surveillance, improves infection control, and increases access to novel treatments is needed to combat MDR P. aeruginosa in SSA. Future research must prioritize affordable diagnostics and bridge the "data silence" identified in the regional resistance mapping to address the region's unique challenges.
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BibTeX
@article{nyanswi2026tackling,
title = {{Tackling the Growing Threat of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Strategies, and the Way Forward.}},
author = {Barack Magwi Nyanswi and Ivy J Mutai and Jael Obiero and Atunga Nyachieo and Anncarol Karanja},
journal = {International journal of microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/ijm/6699909},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42959629},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Tackling the Growing Threat of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Strategies, and the Way Forward.
AU - Barack Magwi Nyanswi
AU - Ivy J Mutai
AU - Jael Obiero
AU - Atunga Nyachieo
AU - Anncarol Karanja
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - International journal of microbiology
DO - 10.1155/ijm/6699909
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42959629
AB - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dangerous pathogen that has shown multidrug resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and has significantly impacted healthcare, where poor infection control and limited resources are common. This narrative review examines strategies in the SSA region to control this pathogen, reports its prevalence, highlights key challenges, and suggests future research. Studies published between 2010 and 2025 in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on AMR surveillance, prevalence, infection control, and treatment strategies for AMR P. aeruginosa in SSA, were reviewed. Data were qualitatively and quantitatively summarized and mapped as descriptive median resistance (%) across SSA countries in a geographic heatmap. The results, illustrated in the heatmap, reveal substantial median resistance to common first-line agents, whereas significant data gaps indicate a critical lack of standardized surveillance in the region. Nations such as South Africa and Kenya have progressed with surveillance and stewardship programs. However, challenges persist in other countries, especially in diagnostics, access to new antibiotics, and infection control. New emerging therapies, including phage therapy and new antibiotics, have shown promise but are limited by regulatory frameworks, costs, and availability. Infection prevention measures are equally weak, resulting in high infection rates due to overcrowding and inadequate hygiene facilities. A more integrated approach that strengthens surveillance, improves infection control, and increases access to novel treatments is needed to combat MDR P. aeruginosa in SSA. Future research must prioritize affordable diagnostics and bridge the "data silence" identified in the regional resistance mapping to address the region's unique challenges.
SN - 1687-918X
SN - 1687-9198
ER -