First hand laboratory evidence of rising antimicrobial resistance and emergency preparedness gaps in nigeria
1
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kwara State University, malete, Kwara, Nigeria
2
Chemical pathology unit, Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Oshogbo, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating public health threat that undermines routine clinical care and weakens national emergency preparedness. In nigeria, frontline medical laboratories frequently encounter resistant bacterial pathogens during routine diagnostics. However, resistance data from private laboratories are rarely captured in national surveillance systems, limiting early warning capacity and coordinated emergency response. Incorporating private sector laboratory evidence is critical for improving preparedness and response to infectious disease crises.
METHODS:
A multicenter laboratory based study was conducted between august 2024 and august 2025 across three private diagnostic laboratories in lagos state. A total of 482 urine and wound swab specimens were processed using standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the kirby bauer disk diffusion method and interpreted according to CLSI guidelines. Bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Laboratory resistance patterns were reviewed alongside clinician reports of treatment failure. Methods were harmonized across facilities to ensure comparability.
RESULTS:
High levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed across all facilities. Escherichia coli showed resistance to ciprofloxacin in 58 percent of isolates and to ampicillin in 61 percent. Klebsiella pneumoniae demonstrated resistance to third generation cephalosporins in 44 percent of isolates. One third of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were methicillin resistant with poor response to erythromycin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited resistance to gentamicin and ceftazidime in 29 percent of isolates. Clinicians frequently reported first line treatment failure, leading to increased reliance on carbapenems that were often unavailable or unaffordable.
CONCLUSIONS:
Private diagnostic laboratories generate critical real time evidence of antimicrobial resistance that is currently underutilized in nigeria’s emergency preparedness framework. Integrating private laboratory data into national surveillance systems, establishing real time resistance dashboards, and strengthening antibiotic stewardship and stockpiling are essential steps toward resilient emergency response systems.
Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating public health threat that undermines routine clinical care and weakens national emergency preparedness. In nigeria, frontline medical laboratories frequently encounter resistant bacterial pathogens during routine diagnostics. However, resistance data from private laboratories are rarely captured in national surveillance systems, limiting early warning capacity and coordinated emergency response. Incorporating private sector laboratory evidence is critical for improving preparedness and response to infectious disease crises.
METHODS:
A multicenter laboratory based study was conducted between august 2024 and august 2025 across three private diagnostic laboratories in lagos state. A total of 482 urine and wound swab specimens were processed using standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the kirby bauer disk diffusion method and interpreted according to CLSI guidelines. Bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Laboratory resistance patterns were reviewed alongside clinician reports of treatment failure. Methods were harmonized across facilities to ensure comparability.
RESULTS:
High levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed across all facilities. Escherichia coli showed resistance to ciprofloxacin in 58 percent of isolates and to ampicillin in 61 percent. Klebsiella pneumoniae demonstrated resistance to third generation cephalosporins in 44 percent of isolates. One third of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were methicillin resistant with poor response to erythromycin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited resistance to gentamicin and ceftazidime in 29 percent of isolates. Clinicians frequently reported first line treatment failure, leading to increased reliance on carbapenems that were often unavailable or unaffordable.
CONCLUSIONS:
Private diagnostic laboratories generate critical real time evidence of antimicrobial resistance that is currently underutilized in nigeria’s emergency preparedness framework. Integrating private laboratory data into national surveillance systems, establishing real time resistance dashboards, and strengthening antibiotic stewardship and stockpiling are essential steps toward resilient emergency response systems.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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