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Study: Antibiotic-resistant UTIs are an increasing threat in Africa
News brief
Today at 12:08 p.m.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
A study of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in six African countries found high and increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), researchers reported last week in JAMA Network Open.
In an analysis of 44,367 urinary isolates from clinical labs in Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Morocco, and Senegal, a team of investigators assessed drug-resistance trends in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae—two of the primary causative pathogens of UTIs. Data collection spanned from 2008 through 2023, with a shared observation period from October 2014 to December 2021. Resistance was analyzed for seven antibiotic classes in E coli and six in K pneumoniae.
The researchers note that resistance data on E coli and K pneumoniae in Africa “remain scarce or fragmented.”
“Monitoring resistance trends is essential to understanding AMR evolution and intercountry differences and forecasting resistance trajectories,” the study authors wrote. “Such insights are critical for informing health policy, guiding empirical treatment, and supporting strategies to contain multidrug-resistant organisms.”
Stronger measures needed
Resistance to first-line antibiotics was widespread, with amoxicillin resistance in E coli exceeding 85% across sites and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid resistance exceeding 50% in for both pathogens in all countries except Madagascar and Cameroon. Resistance to broader-spectrum antibiotics was also high, with fluoroquinolone resistance exceeding 40% for both pathogens in all sites and resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins surpassing 45% in all countries except Morocco.
While resistance to carbapenems—a last-resort antibiotic class—remained below 18% for both pathogens, a modeling projection estimated that carbapenem and third-generation cephalosporin resistance could exceed 90% in all six countries by 2050.
The authors say the findings indicate that stronger measures against AMR are urgently needed in Africa.
“These estimations underscore the urgent need for strengthened standardized stewardship, enhanced surveillance, improved infection prevention and control, and expanded health care capacity,” they wrote.
Quick takes: More Michigan Cyclospora, UK measles death, H5N1 avian flu in Cambodian baby
News brief
Today at 11:23 a.m.
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics
Cyclospora
Measles
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Foodborne Disease
Study: Antibiotic-resistant UTIs are an increasing threat in Africa
News brief
Today at 12:08 p.m.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
A study of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in six African countries found high and increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), researchers reported last week in JAMA Network Open.
In an analysis of 44,367 urinary isolates from clinical labs in Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Morocco, and Senegal, a team of investigators assessed drug-resistance trends in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae—two of the primary causative pathogens of UTIs. Data collection spanned from 2008 through 2023, with a shared observation period from October 2014 to December 2021. Resistance was analyzed for seven antibiotic classes in E coli and six in K pneumoniae.
The researchers note that resistance data on E coli and K pneumoniae in Africa “remain scarce or fragmented.”
“Monitoring resistance trends is essential to understanding AMR evolution and intercountry differences and forecasting resistance trajectories,” the study authors wrote. “Such insights are critical for informing health policy, guiding empirical treatment, and supporting strategies to contain multidrug-resistant organisms.”
Stronger measures needed
Resistance to first-line antibiotics was widespread, with amoxicillin resistance in E coli exceeding 85% across sites and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid resistance exceeding 50% in for both pathogens in all countries except Madagascar and Cameroon. Resistance to broader-spectrum antibiotics was also high, with fluoroquinolone resistance exceeding 40% for both pathogens in all sites and resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins surpassing 45% in all countries except Morocco.
While resistance to carbapenems—a last-resort antibiotic class—remained below 18% for both pathogens, a modeling projection estimated that carbapenem and third-generation cephalosporin resistance could exceed 90% in all six countries by 2050.
The authors say the findings indicate that stronger measures against AMR are urgently needed in Africa.
“These estimations underscore the urgent need for strengthened standardized stewardship, enhanced surveillance, improved infection prevention and control, and expanded health care capacity,” they wrote.
Quick takes: More Michigan Cyclospora, UK measles death, H5N1 avian flu in Cambodian baby
News brief
Today at 11:23 a.m.
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics
Cyclospora
Measles
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Foodborne Disease
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services today reported 2,640 cases of cyclosporiasis, including 44 people who required hospitalization. Case counts are rising at a rate of 20% to 30% per day, according to the Detroit Free Press, with cases still concentrated in southeastern counties. No source has been identified. Several other states are reporting a spike in cases of the diarrhea-causing parasite as well, including Ohio (364 infections) and New York (470). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 states have reported Cyclospora cases this year, with 86-associated hospitalizations, but its total lags far behind what states are cumulatively reporting.
- A third person in England has died from a measles, following the deaths of two children last month. The most recent fatality occurred in an adult with an underlying immunological problem. As of July 6, the UK Health Security Agency reported 883 confirmed measles cases in England so far this year. More than half (52%) of this year’s cases have been reported in London. Nationwide, vaccination rates hover around 84%, too low to provide herd immunity.
- Cambodian health officials said a 9-month-old girl represents the country’s fifth case of H5N1 avian flu in a person so far this year. The girl is from Preaek Ta Kong village in Phnom Penh, the country’s capital, and is currently hospitalized. Last year Cambodia reported 19 human cases of H5N1, eight of which were fatal.