Laboratory Surveillance, Quality Management, and Its Role in Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa: A Narrative Review

Abstract

AMR is a major public health concern that calls for extensive work and a multidisciplinary team approach. The high prevalence of infectious diseases in African nations leads to widespread antibiotic usage and eventual antimicrobial resistance, which has significant negative effects on people’s health, the economy, and society. Additionally, inadequate or nonexistent antimicrobial drug regulations, inappropriate prescription practices, and restrictions on public health prevention initiatives such as immunization, water and sanitation, and sexual health may all contribute to the emergence of AMR. Despite the need for laboratory quality assurance, many African laboratories confront substantial difficulties in implementing efficient quality assurance programs. AMR surveillance in Africa is hampered by a lack of laboratory capacity, insufficient data collection and analysis, and poor stakeholder collaboration. Several initiatives and programs, including the World Health Organization’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (AMRSNET), and the Fleming Fund, a UK government initiative aimed at tackling AMR in low- and middle-income countries, have been established to strengthen AMR surveillance in Africa and globally.

Assessment of antimicrobial resistance laboratory-based surveillance capacity of hospitals in Zambia: findings and implications for system strengthening

“…The laboratory is one of the key pillars in combating the emergence of AMR as it provides evidence of resistance through testing and analysis of micro-organisms to determine their susceptibility or resistance to various antimicrobial agents. Intriguingly, laboratories guide clinicians on the better management of patients and provide information for infection prevention and control and diagnostic surveillance for AMS mitigation [ 51 , 52 ]. Nevertheless, like most developing countries in Africa [ 9 , 46 , 53 ], there is inadequate information in Zambia on the capacity of the local laboratories to conduct microbiological tests required for AMR surveillance.…”

Key Recommendations for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance: Takeaways From the CAPTURA Project

“…These features are necessary to monitor the reliability of all aspects of laboratory operations. The primary goal of such quality management systems is the continuous improvement of laboratory processes, which must be done systematically [ 25 ]. A quality management system produces improved laboratory practices that efficiently detect errors and prevent them from recurring.…”