Antimicrobial resistance is a challenge that threatens the whole global community. The burden of antimicrobial resistance is higher in developing countries than anywhere else. The effects of antimicrobial resistance are scantily reported in developing countries. Hence, we tend to pander to the reports from other parts of the world while neglecting the developing regions. This study aims to analyse the published literature on antimicrobial resistance in developing countries.

A systematic review was carried out in PubMed and included recent studies (2013-2023). Article screening used relevant search strategies and strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The initial search identified 18,958 studies, and after undergoing strict screening, 24 studies were included in the systematic review. Widespread cases of antimicrobial resistance were unearthed across developing nations. The most common pathogens reported for resistance were; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The continued resistance of these pathogens is due to the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in both human and animal medicine practices.

Different challenges worsen the threat of antimicrobial resistance in developing countries. Poor surveillance and diagnostic ability hinder the efficient analysis of resistance trends and patterns in these regions. Unregulated use of antibiotics and fragmented healthcare systems that promote self-diagnosis worsen the threat of antimicrobial resistance in developing countries. These challenges can be addressed by strengthening regulations on antimicrobial use, improving surveillance, collaboration between human and animal medical practices, and improving societal awareness. It is important to arrest the effect of antimicrobial resistance in developing countries by adopting a sustainable approach to safeguard the efficacy of these antimicrobials and prevent huge numbers of deaths due to resistance.