A Review of Antifungal Resistance in West Africa

Abraham Bwalhuma Muhindo (1) , Adamu Almustapha Aliero (2) , Festo Mwebaze Syalhasha (3) , Ibrahim Ntulume (4) , Emmanuel Eilu (5) , Martin Odoki (6) , Joe Mutebi (7)
(1) Premium Medical Services , Sierra Leone
(2) Kebbi State University of Science and Technology , Nigeria
(3) Clarke International University , Uganda
(4) Kampala International University , Uganda
(5) Kampala International University , Uganda
(6) Kampala International University , Uganda
(7) Kampala International University , Uganda

Abstract

Knowledge of local and regional antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is important for clinical decision-making. However, surveillance capacity for fungal infections let alone antifungal resistance is lacking throughout West Africa, and current antifungal resistance data are sparse. We sought to address this gap by summarizing all available high-quality data on antifungal resistance in West Africa. We searched the PubMed database, African Journals Online archives, and free web searches in October and December 2023 using the terms "antifungal resistance" and "West Africa" to find articles published from 2010 onwards. Only 11 articles were included in our analysis most of which were cross-sectional and descriptive in design; relatively high levels of antifungal resistance (AFR) to commonly used antifungals were reported including (24-75%) resistance to fluconazole and ketoconazole, two of the most frequently-prescribed antifungals in this region. There is a high level of resistance to griseofulvin, ketoconazole, cotrimoxazole, and fluconazole among dermatophyte infections (80-100%) with 100% resistance to amphotericin B, ketoconazole, and fluconazole reported by the invasive fungal disease-causing pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Resistance to commonly used anti-fungal drugs is prevalent; raising concern that these drugs may no longer be useful for treating moderate or severe fungal infections in West Africa hence calling for countries to promote acceptance of antimicrobial stewardship as a programmatic strategy not just focused on bacterial resistance but also fungal resistance including pharmacy management, laboratory complete mycological investigations and dissemination of standard fungal susceptibility profiles.

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Authors

Abraham Bwalhuma Muhindo
abrahambwalhuma@gmail.com (Primary Contact)
Adamu Almustapha Aliero
Martin Odoki
Joe Mutebi
Author Biographies

Abraham Bwalhuma Muhindo, Premium Medical Services

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Mbarara District, Uganda

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University, Ishaka, Bushenyi District, Uganda

Department of Microbiology, Premium Medical Services, Freetown, Western Area Urban District, Sierra Leone

Adamu Almustapha Aliero, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology

Department of Microbiology, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Festo Mwebaze Syalhasha, Clarke International University

Institute of Public Health and Management, Clarke International University, Kampala, Kampala District, Uganda

Ibrahim Ntulume, Kampala International University

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University, Ishaka, Bushenyi District, Uganda

Emmanuel Eilu, Kampala International University

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University, Ishaka, Bushenyi District, Uganda

Martin Odoki, Kampala International University

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University, Ishaka, Bushenyi District, Uganda

Joe Mutebi, Kampala International University

Department of Computing, Kampala International University, Ishaka, Bushenyi District, Uganda

1.
Muhindo AB, Aliero AA, Syalhasha FM, Ntulume I, Eilu E, Odoki M, Mutebi J. A Review of Antifungal Resistance in West Africa. Borneo J Pharm [Internet]. 2024May30 [cited 2025Apr.6];7(2):187-9. Available from: https://journal.umpr.ac.id/index.php/bjop/article/view/6507

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