Frontiers in antibiotics最新文献

{"title":"Editorial: Innovations and impacts of antimicrobial stewardship in primary care and proximity settings.","authors":"Elmien Bronkhorst","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1995353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frabi.2026.1995353","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1995353"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13670923/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149217384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of antibiotic resistance genes in fecal microbiota selected donors during the establishment of a biobank in the south of Brazil.","authors":"Lucas de Figueiredo Soveral, Liandra Raphaella de Lima Holanda, Izadora Borgmann Frizzo Assunção, Leticia Gonçalves Gomes, Isabella Bittencourt de Souza, Gabriella de Souza Rodrigues, Patrícia Almeida Vanny, Oscar Bruna-Romero, Jussara Kasuko Palmeiro, Mara Cristina Scheffer, Thais Cristine Marques Sincero, Carlos Rodrigo Zárate-Bladés","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1905540","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frabi.2026.1905540","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective therapy for recurrent <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection (rCDI) and is increasingly explored for other dysbiosis-related disorders. However, its implementation as a regulated therapeutic strategy requires robust donor screening, biosafety frameworks, and standardized processing workflows. Here, we describe the establishment of the first fecal microbiota biobank in southern Brazil and evaluate the incorporation of metagenomic sequencing as a complementary layer of donor characterization and safety assessment. A structured donor selection pipeline based on international guidelines was implemented, integrating clinical screening, biochemical and serological testing, and microbiological analyses. Of 100 screened candidates, only four donors met all eligibility criteria and were included in the biobank, highlighting the stringency of the selection process. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing revealed a diverse resistome across all donors, including a shared core set of resistance genes alongside marked interindividual variability. Dominant resistance determinants included tetracycline-associated genes, <i>ermF</i>, CfxA-type β-lactamases, and aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, which were associated with specific gut taxa. Genomic context analysis further identified four ARG-containing contigs with features compatible with potential mobility, although active horizontal gene transfer was beyond the scope of this study. Notably, <i>tet(Q)</i> and <i>ermF</i> were predominantly associated with <i>Bacteroides fragilis</i>, supporting its role as a reservoir of resistance determinants in the gut microbiota. These findings support the use of metagenomic profiling as a complementary approach to donor characterization and risk assessment rather than as a standalone criterion for donor exclusion. Overall, this study provides a framework for microbiota biobank implementation and highlights the potential of metagenomic analysis to complement conventional biosafety screening in FMT.</p>","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1905540"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13649761/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149167193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of <i>Campylobacter coli</i>, <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the poultry distribution network.","authors":"Sadik Dantroliya, Monica Chavan, Debashrita Mittra, Rameshchandra Pandit, Fiona Tomley, Damer Blake, Prakash Koringa, Chaitanya Joshi, Satyamitra Shekh, Chinmayi Joshi, Madhvi Joshi","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1875259","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1875259","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>India is one of the largest producers of poultry and poultry-derived products. The dynamics of animal production and consumer exposure have been linked to new challenges in the control of poultry-borne zoonotic diseases as consumption of poultry products raises. As a part of the One Health Poultry Hub, this study focused on addressing the risk posed by pathogens associated to the intensification of poultry production. Eight cities in the state of Gujarat were included in the study based on poultry density and distribution networks (PDN). Samples were collected from 65 live bird market shops and 50 poultry farms. The prevalence of key food borne pathogens - specifically <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. and <i>Escherichia coli -</i> was assessed using cecal and cloacal samples from birds, while non-typhoidal <i>Salmonella</i> (NTS) spp. was examined in environment samples from poultry farms. <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. and <i>E. coli</i> were recovered from 10.26% and 51.33% birds, respectively, whereas NTS spp. was not detected in any environmental sample. Prevalence pattern varied by city, season and breed. The highest <i>C. coli</i> prevalence was in broiler shop samples from Surat (17.5%) and desi chickens form Bhuj (16.7%), while <i>C. jejuni</i> peaked in broiler shop samples from Bhuj (13.3%). <i>C. jejuni</i> was not detected in desi chickens. All isolates were further analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance using the disc diffusion method. A higher resistance was observed in <i>Campylobacter</i> isolates (55.74%) particularly against fluoroquinolones, macrolides and beta-lactams. Among the isolated organisms, 39.34% of <i>Campylobacter</i> and 61.03% of <i>E. coli</i> isolates exhibited extensively drug-resistant (XDR) phenotypes, while 4.92% of <i>Campylobacter</i> and 9.09% of <i>E. coli</i> demonstrated pan drug-resistant (PDR) phenotypes. Among <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolates, 29.87% exhibited resistance to glycopeptides, nitrofurantoin, macrolides, tetracycline, beta-lactams, and fluoroquinolones. These findings underscore the critical need for implementing farm hygiene practices to mitigate the risk of food borne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance within poultry distribution networks.</p>","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1875259"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13640147/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Longitudinal trends in antimicrobial resistance phenotypes in <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>: a seven-year study.","authors":"Wael A Alghamdi, Khalid M Orayj, Ahmed R N Ibrahim, Marim A Abdelsalam, Abdullah M Alshehri","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1912287","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frabi.2026.1912287","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections and is increasingly associated with antimicrobial resistance. Continuous local surveillance is essential to monitor evolving resistance patterns and inform empirical antimicrobial therapy and antimicrobial stewardship.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective laboratory-based surveillance study analyzed non-duplicate <i>P. aeruginosa</i> isolates recovered from hospitalized patients at a secondary healthcare setting in Saudi Arabia between 2018 and 2024. Resistance phenotypes were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) according to established international definitions. Temporal trends were evaluated using logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 368 non-duplicate <i>P. aeruginosa</i> isolates were included. Respiratory tract specimens were the most common source of isolates. MDR prevalence increased from 51.0% in 2018 to a peak of 87.3% in 2022 before declining to 69.6% in 2024, while XDR reached its highest prevalence of 68.3% in 2023 before declining to 39.1% in 2024. When year was analyzed categorically, significant differences across years were observed for MDR (P < 0.001) and XDR (P = 0.003), but not DTR (P = 0.144).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This seven-year surveillance study demonstrated a substantial burden of antimicrobial resistance among <i>P. aeruginosa</i> isolates, with significant year-to-year variation in MDR and XDR prevalence. These findings provide locally relevant surveillance data that may inform empirical antimicrobial therapy, antimicrobial stewardship, and ongoing institutional resistance surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1912287"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13630743/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolation and identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospital tap water.","authors":"Wasan Mohammed Abdulzahra, Zainab Qasim Hilo, Aswan Mahmood Hashim, Haider Nadhom Athab, Kawthar Abd Al-Hadi Abd Al-Karim, Hawraa Majid Hassan, Hussein Fadil Ibrahim, Ayad M J Al-Mamoori","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1901158","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1901158","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Hospital tap water can act as a reservoir of opportunistic and potentially antibiotic-resistant bacteria, yet baseline data on the bacterial communities and antimicrobial resistance profiles of premise-plumbing systems remain scarce in Iraq. This study investigated the bacterial species present in hospital tap water and their antibiotic resistance profiles, with the aim of supporting infection control measures in healthcare settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Tap water samples were collected from three hospitals in Babil Governorate, Iraq (Merjan Teaching Hospital, Turkish Hospital, and Al-Jiumhori Hospital) and were processed for heterotrophic plate counts and bacterial isolation. Isolates were identified to the species level using the VITEK 2 Compact automated phenotypic system, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined on the same platform and interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 11 bacterial isolates were recovered. The highest bacterial load was recorded in the Turkish Hospital sample (3.43 × 10⁴ CFU/mL). The identified species comprised Granulicatella elegans, <i>Acinetobacter haemolyticus, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Moraxella lacunata, Francisella tularensis, Aeromonas sobria, Pseudomonas stutzeri</i>, and <i>Sphingomonas paucimobilis</i>. The single Gram-positive isolate, G. elegans, showed the highest resistance (10 of 14 agents tested; 71.4%), whereas the Gram-negative isolates were largely susceptible, with only sporadic resistance detected in <i>P. stutzeri</i> and <i>M. lacunata</i>.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Because several species were represented by a single isolate and identification relied on an automated phenotypic platform, these resistance estimates are descriptive and should be interpreted with caution. The findings nonetheless confirm the presence of opportunistic and potentially resistant bacteria in hospital tap water and underscore the need for routine microbiological monitoring and improved water safety protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1901158"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13619893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149083189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zinc oxide nanoparticles against <i>Candida</i>: mechanistic pathways, synergistic potentials, and biocompatibility challenges in the era of antimicrobial resistance.","authors":"Binaya Krushna Sahu, Tapan Kumar Mohanta, Mahesh Chandra Sahu, Sujogya Kumar Panda","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1933663","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1933663","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The emergence of antifungal resistance among diverse <i>Candida</i> species highlights the need for a more efficient and effective approach to address this issue. Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative approach with great promise to counter antifungal resistance, a global concern that has surged over the past two decades. Antifungal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), their green synthesis approaches, and mechanisms of action are promising characteristics that warrant systematic investigation. This review discusses the current literature available on ZnO NPs focusing on the approaches used in the synthesis of these nanoparticles, characterization, antifungal efficacy of these nanoparticles against <i>Candida</i> species, mechanisms of action, and effects on biofilm formation, potential synergistic effects with antifungal compounds, as well as their biocompatibility. From 324 PubMed and 688 Scopus records, 44 and 66 articles, respectively, were screened; after exclusions, 33 original studies (20 from Scopus and 13 from PubMed) were included in this review. Based on reviewed studies, ZnO NPs demonstrate antifungal activity against several <i>Candida</i> species, such as <i>Candida albicans</i>, <i>C. glabrata, C. auris, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei</i>, and <i>C. famata</i>, and the possible mechanisms of action of ZnO NPs are reactive oxygen species production, release of Zn²⁺ ions, cell membrane disruption, oxidative stress induction, inhibition of biofilm formation, and suppression of virulence genes. The green synthesis of ZnO NPs exhibited all but one of the traits required for biocompatibility. Their combination with standard antifungals enhanced antifungal activity. ZnO NPs therefore represent a promising antifungal strategy for the treatment of candidiasis. To ensure safety and therapeutic applicability, however, additional validation through standardized research, pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluations, and well-designed clinical trials is necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1933663"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13613811/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology and predictors of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in intensive care units of a tertiary hospital in Somalia: a five-year retrospective study (2019-2024).","authors":"Omar Sidow Zubair, Yusuf Hared Abdi, Tigad Abdisad Ali, Zakaria Ibrahim Issack, Abdirahman Abdirizak Ahmed","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1889216","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1889216","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDRE) represent a critical threat in intensive care units, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where surveillance data remain scarce. This study characterized the epidemiology and predictors of multidrug resistance among Enterobacteriaceae isolates in a Somali tertiary hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective descriptive study analyzed 758 unique Enterobacteriaceae isolates from culture-positive specimens between January 2019 and December 2024, using disk diffusion for eight agents; For colistin, broth microdilution (CLSI M07) was applied to isolates screening non-susceptible on disk diffusion, and genera with intrinsic polymyxin resistance (<i>Proteus</i>, <i>Serratia</i>, <i>Morganella</i>) were excluded from the colistin denominator. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as nonsusceptibility to ≥3 antimicrobial classes. Bivariate associations and multivariable logistic regression identified the independent predictors of MDR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of multidrug resistance was 37.9%. Klebsiella spp. demonstrated the highest MDR prevalence (54.9%), while Escherichia coli had lower odds of resistance (aOR, 0.27; 95% CI 0.19-0.38). Sputum specimens harbored the highest proportion of MDR isolates (44.9%), followed by blood (35.8%) and urine (19.0%). The prevalence of MDR remained relatively stable at 24-25% in 2019-2020, subsequently declined to 15% in 2021, and then escalated dramatically. Colistin retained the greatest <i>in vitro</i> activity: acquired resistance was documented in 1.2% (9/735 tested) of isolates from genera without intrinsic polymyxin resistance, all of them multidrug-resistant (9/283, 3.2%, versus 0/452 of non-MDR isolates; p = 0.001). A further 21/758 isolates (2.8%) belonged to genera intrinsically resistant to colistin. Because confirmatory broth microdilution was applied only to isolates screening non-susceptible, the colistin figure is a conservative lower-bound estimate. Tigecycline was tested in only 20.4% of isolates, among which resistance was 17.4%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are escalating alarmingly in Somali ICUs, with ciprofloxacin resistance of 95.4% among tested MDR isolates, which severely constrains empiric therapeutic options. The urgent implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs, restricted-use protocols for carbapenems and colistins, and strengthened infection prevention measures are essential. National engagement with the WHO GLASS surveillance is critical.</p>","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1889216"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13581746/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148992925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Pharmacoepidemiology in infectious diseases.","authors":"Cesar Henriquez-Camacho","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1965761","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frabi.2026.1965761","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1965761"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13581903/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148992872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibiogram of pathogenic bacterial isolates from various samples in Prince Sultan Hospital, Western Region, Saudi Arabia. Retrospective study from 2020 to 2024.","authors":"Ebtehal H Alqurashi, Najla A Obaid, Alyaa Alzahrani, Fahad S Alshareef, Najlaa M Mohandes, Areej M Althyabi, Sahar Albugami, Sultan Almammari","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1872911","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1872911","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antibiograms support empirical therapy by providing local antimicrobial susceptibility data, guiding clinical decisions, and stewardship efforts. Rising multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria highlight the importance of continuous antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance to inform local treatment guidelines.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The purpose of this study was to assess AMR rates in clinical pathogenic isolates obtained from community-acquired infections at a general hospital in Western Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Antibiogram data were analyzed retrospectively from January 2020 to September 2024, focusing on pathogenic bacteria and AMR isolates.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusion: </strong>This study shows high rates of ESBL-producing <i>E. coli</i> and the rapid emergence of resistance to last-resort antibiotics, indicating therapeutic exhaustion despite stable resistance to older drug classes. These trends, likely driven by antibiotic overuse during COVID-19, highlight shrinking treatment options and the urgent need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and reassess empirical therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1872911"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13506799/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148835383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bridging knowledge and practice gaps in antimicrobial stewardship among veterinary professionals in Zambia's poultry sector: a mixed-methods pre-post intervention study.","authors":"Chikwanda Chileshe, Chisoni Mumba, Ricky Chazya, William Ngosa, Steward Mudenda, Victor Chishimba, Taona Sinyawa, Kenneth Chawinga, Misheck Shawa, Geoffrey Mainda, Iyamvwa Muchepa, Joseph Yamweka Chizimu, Gilbert Nchima, Bernard Mudenda Hang'ombe, Fusya Goma, Walter Muleya, Ntombi B Mudenda","doi":"10.3389/frabi.2026.1898867","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frabi.2026.1898867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to animal health, food security, and public health globally, with poultry production systems recognized as important contributors to antimicrobial use. Veterinary professionals and veterinary paraprofessionals play a central role in antimicrobial stewardship through prescribing practices, farmer education and disease prevention strategies. This mixed-methods pre-post intervention study assessed changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices related to antimicrobial stewardship among veterinary personnel involved in poultry production in selected districts of Zambia, before and after implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions under the Combating antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial residues in Zambian Poultry (CAZAAP) project. Baseline and endline quantitative KAP surveys were conducted among veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals in Lusaka Province (Chongwe, Chilanga district) and Copperbelt Province (Ndola, Kitwe districts), complemented by qualitative key informant interviews exploring contextual drivers of antimicrobial use and stewardship practices. Knowledge of antibiotics and AMR was generally high across both provinces, with improvements observed in correct definitions of AMR, antibiotic residues, and withdrawal periods between baseline and endline. Positive attitudes toward antimicrobial stewardship were widely reported, including recognition that AMR was an important animal and public health issue and that biosecurity and vaccination can result in reduced antibiotic use. Changes were observed in several stewardship-related practices, including reductions in inappropriate antibiotic use for viral infections, decreased prophylactic antimicrobial use, and improved biosecurity practices. However, important gaps persisted, particularly limited access to treatment guidelines, inconsistent prescription practices, and low utilization of laboratory diagnostics. Qualitative findings revealed widespread farmer self-medication, over-the-counter access to antibiotics through agrovet shops and pharmacies, weak regulatory enforcement, and economic pressures influencing antimicrobial use practices. Overall, the findings suggest that although awareness of AMR among veterinary professionals is generally high, antimicrobial stewardship challenges in Zambia's poultry sector are driven not only by knowledge limitations but also by broader structural and governance constraints. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship will therefore require integrated One Health interventions combining professional training, improved diagnostics, regulatory strengthening, and farmer-centered education.</p>","PeriodicalId":73065,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in antibiotics","volume":"5 ","pages":"1898867"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469284/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148763666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}