(Togo First) - A study in Togo has identified an unexpected contributor to antimicrobial resistance: urban pigeons.

Research led by Siliadin Akuele, a biological engineer and PhD candidate at the University of Lomé’s ESTIS Doctoral School, found that more than half of the pigeon-dropping samples collected in Lomé carried Escherichia coli (E. coli) resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, a class of antibiotics widely used in human healthcare.

“Of the 96 samples taken from pigeon coops in the capital, 54 percent contained ESBL-producing E. coli,” Akuele told Togo First. E. coli is commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals.

The proportion of resistant strains identified in the study is far higher than what has been reported elsewhere. Comparable studies in France and Bangladesh recorded positivity rates between 1 and 5 percent, suggesting that pigeons may serve as a significant reservoir for multidrug-resistant bacteria in Lomé’s urban environment. According to Akuele, “These bacteria, selected through the intensive use of antibiotics in livestock, can be passed on to humans through simple contact with droppings.”

Seasonal Spike and Livestock’s Influence

The research also found a strong seasonal effect. During the dry season, 30 percent of samples tested positive for ESBL-producing E. coli; this figure rose to 78 percent during the rainy season. “Humidity likely helps these bacteria spread,” Akuele said, calling for broader studies in Togo and across West Africa. She urged closer examination of livestock practices that promote antibiotic resistance.

Akuele warned that the heavy, often uncontrolled use of antibiotics in livestock farming is fueling the problem. “This leads microbes to develop resistance we never imagined,” she said. She added that urban pigeon keeping, combined with antibiotic use to protect birds from infections, exposes communities to increasingly resistant bacterial strains, a growing public health concern.

A Wider AMR Crisis

The findings come against the backdrop of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, held in Lomé from November 18 to 22, 2025.

 “AMR is essentially a silent pandemic, because resistant bacteria travel easily across continents,” said Professor Mounerou Salou, Togo’s AMR focal point.

WHO’s 2025 GLASS report estimated that one in six bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 was resistant to first-line antibiotics.

National data also reflects the severity of the issue. In 2023, 6.3 percent of newly diagnosed HIV patients in Togo already carried resistant mutations, while 17.8 percent showed mutations associated with potential resistance to integrase inhibitors, a key class of antiretrovirals. “This makes it urgent to invest in laboratory capacity, microbial surveillance and better prescription practices,” Salou said.

‘One Health’ Approach Seen as Essential

Akuele stressed the importance of research in tackling AMR. “To preserve the effectiveness of our antibiotics, we need to understand every link in the chain –from animals and humans to the environment.”

Experts reiterated that a One Health approach, which considers human, animal and environmental health together, is essential to prevent the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria.

They also highlighted the economic impact: the misuse of antibiotics in animal health encourages the development of resistant bacteria, which can lead to losses for livestock farmers and weaken food supply chains.

Togo has a National Action Plan against AMR, implemented through a cross-sector working group, according to WHO’s 2022 review. But more progress is needed, particularly in strengthening national surveillance, improving coordination between health and animal sectors, and collecting reliable data on antibiotic consumption.

Following the awareness week, experts called for a coordinated response to limit AMR’s future impact on healthcare costs, productivity and household health. The challenge is urgent: Africa has the highest mortality rate from antibiotic resistance, at an estimated 23.7 deaths per 100,000 people, according to data from Gavi.

Akuele’s work on urban pigeons – chosen for their mobility and ability to travel long distances– highlights the need for action on all fronts.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi