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Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria in Manure, Soil, and Vegetables in Urban Blantyre, Malawi, from a Farm-to-Fork Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Amon Abraham

    (Department of Energy Resources, Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe P.O. Box 5196, Malawi)

  • Andrew G. Mtewa

    (Department of Applied Studies, Chemistry Section, Malawi Institute of Technology, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe P.O. Box 5196, Malawi)

  • Chimwemwe Chiutula

    (Department of Energy Resources, Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe P.O. Box 5196, Malawi)

  • Richard Lizwe Steven Mvula

    (Department of Earth Sciences, Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe P.O. Box 5196, Malawi)

  • Alfred Maluwa

    (Directorate of Research and Outreach, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe P.O. Box 2109, Malawi)

  • Fasil Ejigu Eregno

    (Department of Building, Energy and Material Technology, Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Postboks 385, 8514 Narvik, Norway)

  • John Njalam’mano

    (Department of Water Resources Management, Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe P.O. Box 5196, Malawi)

Abstract

The use of untreated livestock manure in urban agriculture sustains soil fertility but risks disseminating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in resource-limited settings. This study characterized antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) prevalence across manure–soil–vegetable pathways in Blantyre, Malawi. Using a cross-sectional design, we collected 35 samples (poultry/pig manure, farm/home soils, Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis , Brassica rapa , and Amaranthus spp.) from five livestock farms. Microbiological analysis with API 20E identification and disk diffusion testing revealed clear differences in contamination: Escherichia coli dominated pig manure (52%) and farm soil (35%), with detection in vegetables suggesting possible transfer (e.g., 20% in Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis ), while Klebsiella pneumoniae contaminated all sample types (peak: 60% vegetables and 67% home soils). All manure isolates exhibited sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim resistance, with 50% of pig manure E. coli showing cefotaxime resistance. Soil isolates mirrored these patterns (100% ampicillin resistance in K. pneumoniae and 77% cefotaxime resistance in farm soil E. coli ). Vegetables displayed severe multidrug resistance (100% E. coli and 80% K. pneumoniae resistant to ≥3 classes), including critical gentamicin resistance (100% E. coli ). Composting for ≤6 weeks, as practiced on the studied farms, did not eliminate ARBs, suggesting that longer durations may be needed. Notably, this study provides the first phenotypic evidence of presumptive Pasteurella -like organisms on edible leafy vegetables, specifically 45% in Amaranthus spp. and 6.1% in Brassica rapa , suggesting a potential zoonotic transmission route from livestock farms that requires molecular confirmation. These findings demonstrate manure-amended farms as AMR reservoirs, necessitating extended composting and antibiotic stewardship to mitigate One Health risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Amon Abraham & Andrew G. Mtewa & Chimwemwe Chiutula & Richard Lizwe Steven Mvula & Alfred Maluwa & Fasil Ejigu Eregno & John Njalam’mano, 2025. "Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria in Manure, Soil, and Vegetables in Urban Blantyre, Malawi, from a Farm-to-Fork Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(8), pages 1-30, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:8:p:1273-:d:1724600
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