Publications

ObjectivesThis systematic review aimed to assess the impact of antibiotics on gene expression in Pseudomonas spp. within the East African Community (EAC).MethodologyA thorough literature search across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed yielded 284 articles, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria after screening. The selected studies came from five EAC countries. Findings showed a high prevalence of AMR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with over 90% resistance to most antibiotics, except Amikacin, which remained effective likely due to limited usage.Results and discussionCommon resistance genes identified included carbapenemases such as blaNDM-1 and blaVIM. The disc diffusion method was the most commonly used technique (50%).Multidrug-resistant clones like ST244 and ST357 were frequently reported. Environmental isolates had lower resistance rates (54%) compared to clinical strains (73%), suggesting differing selection pressures. Most studies originated from Kenya and Uganda (each 30%), reflecting differences in research capacity and healthcare infrastructure across the region.ConclusionThese results underscore the urgent need for expanded AMR surveillance, stronger antimicrobial stewardship, and further research to inform public health responses in East Africa