Antimicrobial use and resistance in Democratic Republic of Congo: Implications and recommendations; A mini review

Antimicrobial resistance is a public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo and it occurs when pathogens (bacteria, viruses and parasites) no longer respond to antimicrobial drugs. So, their treatment becomes ineffective and complex increasing the risk the spread of infectious and opportunistic diseases and producing serious forms of these infections leading to a high number of deaths. It is important to put in place effective methods and materials for the prevention and treatment of infections resistant to antimicrobial drugs, to provide improved access to quality antimicrobials and to reduce the number of treatment failures. Increasing levels of resistance have significant economic consequences and third-line treatments become much more expensive than first- and second-line treatments. As antimicrobial resistance is a complex health problem that requires a coordinated multisector approach, it is important to intensify innovation in operational research and the development of new antimicrobial drugs. Surveillance remains a valuable tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as it helps to detect resistant infections and allows corrective decisions to be made, this surveillance guides policy recommendations and the monitoring of use and treatment and abuse of antibiotics. Our study aimed to show the importance of establishment of national plans for the fight against antimicrobial resistance by installing laboratories and monitoring sites in order to reduce the risk and rate of deaths due to antimicrobial resistance in the Demographic republic of Congo.