A scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and signatures in ready-to-eat street foods in Africa: implications for public health

Background and objectiveDespite its critical role in individual and societal health, food hygiene remains underexplored. Antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria in ready-to-eat (RTE) food threaten public health. This scoping review collected data on the epidemiological prevalence of RTE food-contam...

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Main Authors: Hope Onohuean, Haron Olot, Fanny Eseohe Onohuean, Sarad Pawar Naik Bukke, Oluwamayowa S. Akinsuyi, Ayomikun Kade
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1525564/full
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author Hope Onohuean
Hope Onohuean
Haron Olot
Haron Olot
Fanny Eseohe Onohuean
Sarad Pawar Naik Bukke
Oluwamayowa S. Akinsuyi
Ayomikun Kade
author_facet Hope Onohuean
Hope Onohuean
Haron Olot
Haron Olot
Fanny Eseohe Onohuean
Sarad Pawar Naik Bukke
Oluwamayowa S. Akinsuyi
Ayomikun Kade
author_sort Hope Onohuean
collection DOAJ
description Background and objectiveDespite its critical role in individual and societal health, food hygiene remains underexplored. Antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria in ready-to-eat (RTE) food threaten public health. This scoping review collected data on the epidemiological prevalence of RTE food-contaminated pathogens resistant to antimicrobial drugs and resistance genes in Africa.MethodUsing electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS), handpicked from references, pre-reviewed published articles were retrieved and analyzed according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.ResultsThe findings indicate 40 previewed published articles qualified for meta-synthesis in the scoping review with a population/case ratio of 11,653/5,338 (45.80%). The most frequently reported RTE foods were meat or beef/beef-soup, chicken or poultry products, salads, vegetable salads, and sandwiches, which harboured pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed the use of 48 antibiotics to manage infections, following CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) protocols. Moreover, 10 authors reported 54 resistance genes associated with pathogenic resistant bacteria. In addition, only 15 studies received funding or financial support.ConclusionThese findings from several researchers indicate that RTE street foods in African and resource-limited nations harbour enteric pathogens and are a significant concern to the public health system and reservoir of the spread of antibiotic resistance. This underscores the necessity of implementing effective control strategies to address challenges and limit the spread of resistant bacteria in RTE foods. The antimicrobial resistance surveillance system in the region is a significant concern. Notably, Africa needs to strengthen the national and international regulatory bodies and a health surveillance system on antimicrobial resistance, particularly among developing nations.
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spelling doaj-art-b0c1b90ff01541e49fffacd6f879d4e52025-08-20T02:16:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-04-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15255641525564A scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and signatures in ready-to-eat street foods in Africa: implications for public healthHope Onohuean0Hope Onohuean1Haron Olot2Haron Olot3Fanny Eseohe Onohuean4Sarad Pawar Naik Bukke5Oluwamayowa S. Akinsuyi6Ayomikun Kade7Biomolecules, Metagenomics, Endocrine and Tropical Disease Research Group (BMETDREG), Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka-Bushenyi, UgandaBiopharmaceutics Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Ishaka-Bushenyi, UgandaBiomolecules, Metagenomics, Endocrine and Tropical Disease Research Group (BMETDREG), Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka-Bushenyi, UgandaBiopharmaceutics Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Ishaka-Bushenyi, UgandaBiomolecules, Metagenomics, Endocrine and Tropical Disease Research Group (BMETDREG), Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka-Bushenyi, UgandaDepartment of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka-Bushenyi, UgandaDepartment of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesSchool of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United KingdomBackground and objectiveDespite its critical role in individual and societal health, food hygiene remains underexplored. Antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria in ready-to-eat (RTE) food threaten public health. This scoping review collected data on the epidemiological prevalence of RTE food-contaminated pathogens resistant to antimicrobial drugs and resistance genes in Africa.MethodUsing electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS), handpicked from references, pre-reviewed published articles were retrieved and analyzed according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.ResultsThe findings indicate 40 previewed published articles qualified for meta-synthesis in the scoping review with a population/case ratio of 11,653/5,338 (45.80%). The most frequently reported RTE foods were meat or beef/beef-soup, chicken or poultry products, salads, vegetable salads, and sandwiches, which harboured pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed the use of 48 antibiotics to manage infections, following CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) protocols. Moreover, 10 authors reported 54 resistance genes associated with pathogenic resistant bacteria. In addition, only 15 studies received funding or financial support.ConclusionThese findings from several researchers indicate that RTE street foods in African and resource-limited nations harbour enteric pathogens and are a significant concern to the public health system and reservoir of the spread of antibiotic resistance. This underscores the necessity of implementing effective control strategies to address challenges and limit the spread of resistant bacteria in RTE foods. The antimicrobial resistance surveillance system in the region is a significant concern. Notably, Africa needs to strengthen the national and international regulatory bodies and a health surveillance system on antimicrobial resistance, particularly among developing nations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1525564/fullprevalenceantibiotic-resistanceready-to-eat (RTE)street-foodsAfricapublic health
spellingShingle Hope Onohuean
Hope Onohuean
Haron Olot
Haron Olot
Fanny Eseohe Onohuean
Sarad Pawar Naik Bukke
Oluwamayowa S. Akinsuyi
Ayomikun Kade
A scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and signatures in ready-to-eat street foods in Africa: implications for public health
Frontiers in Microbiology
prevalence
antibiotic-resistance
ready-to-eat (RTE)
street-foods
Africa
public health
title A scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and signatures in ready-to-eat street foods in Africa: implications for public health
title_full A scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and signatures in ready-to-eat street foods in Africa: implications for public health
title_fullStr A scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and signatures in ready-to-eat street foods in Africa: implications for public health
title_full_unstemmed A scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and signatures in ready-to-eat street foods in Africa: implications for public health
title_short A scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and signatures in ready-to-eat street foods in Africa: implications for public health
title_sort scoping review of the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant pathogens and signatures in ready to eat street foods in africa implications for public health
topic prevalence
antibiotic-resistance
ready-to-eat (RTE)
street-foods
Africa
public health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1525564/full
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