Tackling antimicrobial resistance in Africa : Are phages an alternative?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health crisis, currently causing 700,000 deaths annually, with projections reaching
10 million by 2050. Africa and Asia are disproportionately affected due to infrastructural issues, lack of regulation, and misuse of
antimicrobials in humans and animals. Resistance emerges when pathogens adapt to survive antimicrobial treatments, spreading
through hospitals and communities. Contributing factors include overprescription, self-medication, overuse in agriculture, poor
hygiene, and a lack of new antimicrobials, as development pipelines are in decline due to high costs and limited funding.
Bacteriophage (phage) therapy, a century-old approach, is gaining renewed interest as an alternative or complement to antibiotics.
Phages, viruses that infect and kill bacteria, offer a
targeted solution to antimicrobial resistance. Although widely developed in
Europe and the USA, Africa lags in its adoption due to regulatory, funding, and capacity challenges. Local researchers have isolated
and characterized numerous phages from wastewater and sewage, with some showing strong therapeutic potential. Efforts are
underway to develop phage cocktails to increase antimicrobial activity and evaluate their efficacy, with hopes of conducting clinical
trials within five years. However, regulatory frameworks, limited funding, and socio-cultural perceptions remain significant barriers to
progress. Distrust of innovative therapies, compounded by stigma surrounding the use of viruses, hinders acceptance by both health
professionals and the public. Researchers are actively engaging policymakers to address these issues while conducting community
outreach to improve awareness. Initiatives like the African Phage Forum aim to unify research efforts, foster collaboration, and
advocate for support from continental organizations like the African Union. With adequate funding and data from Africa, phage
therapy could become a powerful tool in the fight against AMR, offering new hope for the continent.

Présenté par Dr AGBANKPE Jerrold lors de Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced study (STIAS) Seminar