Managing Recurrent Osteomyelitis in the Context of Antimicrobial Resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review.
Tags : AMRAntibiotic StewardshipAntimicrobial ResistanceGlobal SurgeryHealth Systems ChallengesInfectious DiseasesLow-Resource SettingsNarrative ReviewOrthopaedic InfectionsOsteomyelitisRecurrent OsteomyelitisSub-Saharan AfricaSurgical InfectionsThe Operating Room GlobalThe Operating Room Global JournalTORGJ
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507002
Authors: Emmanuel Abiodun Owolabi1*, Priscilla Olaoluwa Bakare1, Winifred Olajumoke Fagbenro1
| 1Benjamin S. Carson (SNR) College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. |
Cite:
- APA (7th edition): Owolabi, E. A., Bakare, P. O., & Fagbenro, W. O. (2025, December 14). Managing recurrent osteomyelitis in the context of antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: A narrative review. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 1(2). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507002
- Harvard: Owolabi, E.A., Bakare, P.O. and Fagbenro, W.O., 2025. Managing recurrent osteomyelitis in the context of antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: A narrative review. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 1(2). Published 14 December. Available at: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507002
- Vancouver: Owolabi EA, Bakare PO, Fagbenro WO. Managing recurrent osteomyelitis in the context of antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: A narrative review. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ). 2025 Dec 14;1(2). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507002
- MLA (9th edition): Owolabi, Emmanuel Abiodun, et al. “Managing Recurrent Osteomyelitis in the Context of Antimicrobial Resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), vol. 1, no. 2, 14 Dec. 2025, https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507002
- Chicago (Author–Date): Owolabi, Emmanuel Abiodun, Priscilla Olaoluwa Bakare, and Winifred Olajumoke Fagbenro. 2025. “Managing Recurrent Osteomyelitis in the Context of Antimicrobial Resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ) 1 (2), December 14. https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507002
Corresponding Author*:
Emmanuel Abiodun Owolabi
[email protected]
Declaration:
Authors’ Contribution:
Emmanuel A. Owolabi conceived and designed the study, developed the methodology, wrote the original draft, supervised the project, and led the review, editing, and overall project administration, while Priscilla O. Bakare and Winifred O. Fagbenro conducted the literature search and contributed to the review and editing of the manuscript.
Conflict of Interest:
No conflict of interest.
Funding:
No funding received by the authors.
| Article History: |
| Received: 07-10-2025 Accepted: 14-12-2025 |
| Available Online: 14-12-2025 |
| QR Code Access to this Article |
| ABSTRACT |
| Background: Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) persists globally as a challenging surgical infection, with recurrence rates remaining high, especially in resource-constrained Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) further complicates effective management, necessitating practical and scalable solutions. Methods: We conducted a narrative review using studies published between 2000 and 2025 from PubMed, AJOL, Google Scholar, and WHO resources, with terms such as “chronic osteomyelitis,” “recurrent osteomyelitis,” “AMR,” and “Sub-Saharan Africa.” Inclusion criteria encompassed recurrence rates, AMR profiles, treatment strategies, simulation-based training (SBT), and low-cost interventions in SSA. Results: The recurrence rates of COM in SSA range from 2.8% to 16.7%, with adolescents and young adults being the predominant affected group. High burdens of Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria complicate treatment in settings with limited microbiology and surgical infrastructure. Low-cost innovations, such as locally produced antibiotic-impregnated beads and biodegradable carriers, have demonstrated improved outcomes; however, systematic evidence of scalability remains limited. Simulation-based training (SBT) and context-specific antimicrobial stewardship are underutilized despite their potential to improve infection prevention. Conclusions: Practical solutions such as low-cost antibiotic delivery, SBT integration, and tailored stewardship should be prioritized to reduce recurrence and improve outcomes. Keywords: Chronic Osteomyelitis, Recurrent Osteomyelitis, Antimicrobial Resistance, Sub-Saharan Africa, Simulation-Based Training. |
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