CISM RESEARCHERS PARTICIPATE IN AFRICAN TRAINING ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Augusto Messa Jr and Anélsio Cossa represented CISM

Two researchers from the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM) recently participated in a specialized training on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The course took place from March 8 to 13, 2026, and was organized by Wellcome Connecting Science in collaboration with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), bringing together scientists, microbiologists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and bioinformaticians from several African countries.

Augusto Messa Jr., a researcher in the Bacterial, Viral and Neglected Tropical Diseases (DBVTN) area at CISM, was part of the international team of trainers responsible for leading the technical sessions. Meanwhile, Anélsio Cossa, also a researcher in the same area at CISM, participated as a trainee.

The training, entitled Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) of Bacterial Pathogens in Africa, was held at the NICD Sandringham campus and aimed to strengthen laboratory capacity and the use of genomic tools in the study of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, one of the greatest global public health threats.

The course combined theoretical sessions with hands-on laboratory activities, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing, laboratory diagnostics, whole-genome sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis. These tools are essential for the detection, characterization, and surveillance of resistant pathogens, enabling a better understanding of their evolution and spread, as well as supporting evidence-based public health decision-making.

According to Augusto Messa Jr., “this training also provided an opportunity for exchange among African experts, promoting the use of modern genomics and bioinformatics tools in antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Strengthening these capacities will improve detection, monitoring, and response to emerging threats in the region.”

Augusto Messa Jr.

Anélsio Cossa

Augusto Messa Jr. & Anélsio Cossa

Anélsio Cossa added that participation in the training was an important learning opportunity, as it enabled him to deepen his knowledge in genomic surveillance, advanced laboratory tools, and integrated strategies for detecting and monitoring resistant pathogens in Africa, within a One Health approach. The training also provided a unique opportunity to develop skills in computational biology and genomic data analysis, with particular emphasis on command-line tools and bioinformatics applications for AMR surveillance.

Antimicrobial resistance represents a growing global challenge. It is estimated that, in 2019, approximately 1.3 million deaths were directly attributed to AMR. In Africa, data from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) indicate a rate of approximately 27.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. These figures highlight the urgency of strengthening awareness and intensifying scientific research, particularly in developing countries such as Mozambique.

Without a coordinated and sustained response, projections point to a significant increase in deaths associated with resistant infections in the coming decades. In this context, training initiatives like this play a crucial role in building the capacity of the next generation of African scientists to better monitor, understand, and respond to this global threat.

Participation in this training is part of the DBVTN area at CISM's efforts to develop innovative molecular research approaches to study antimicrobial resistance, transmission patterns, and virulence of major pathogens, as well as to strengthen the training of qualified human resources at different levels and specializations.

In addition to participating in and promoting training and discussion platforms on antimicrobial resistance, researchers from the DBVTN area at CISM are also members of international bodies in this field, such as the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), whose ambassadors in Mozambique include CISM senior researcher Inácio Mandomando and Anélsio Cossa, the latter serving as a junior ambassador.