Antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in the poultry value chain in Zimbabwe: A review

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance in poultry production is currently a serious concern. The overuse or abuse of antimicrobials, along with inadequate hygiene in the poultry production chain, has increasedantimicrobial resistance of zoonotic bacteria, which are widely transferred through the handling and ingestion of poultry products. These bacteria represent a major threat to the environment and human health, leading to negative economic consequences. This review focused on antimicrobial usage and resistance in Zimbabwe poultry value chain. The review explored research studies published between 2000 to 2023.  Searching tools included PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and African Journal Online databases. Thirteen papers out of 11508 were retained for this review, two on antibiotics use and 11 on antimicrobial resistance in poultry, with chickens being the most researched, followed by ducks, geese, and turkeys. Tetracyclines were the most used antibiotics in Zimbabwe, followed by sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, and penicillins. Escherichia coli was the most common bacterium isolated, followed by Salmonella species, Clostridium difficile, and Campylobacter.  All E. coli isolates were resistant to tetracycline, cefotaxime, aztreonam, cefpodoxime, and piperacillin-tazobactam.  Also, all C. difficile isolates were resistant to gentamycin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and nalidixic acid. Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria were the least resistant. Surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance in Zimbabwe is suboptimal, the overall picture shows an acceleration in resistance rates due to the misuse of antimicrobials.