Survey on human-designated antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues in broiler chicken, domestic pigs, and animal feeds in, Tanzania

Abstract Background Recent reports have indicated the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in animal production in neighboring Uganda, with further reports of use in several African countries. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in nine districts in Tanzania and involved screening for the presenc...

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Main Authors: Zuhura I. Kimera, Peter Shimo, Emmanuel C. Balandya, Mecky I. N. Matee, Lisa V. Adams
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-03-01
Series:Bulletin of the National Research Centre
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-025-01314-6
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author Zuhura I. Kimera
Peter Shimo
Emmanuel C. Balandya
Mecky I. N. Matee
Lisa V. Adams
author_facet Zuhura I. Kimera
Peter Shimo
Emmanuel C. Balandya
Mecky I. N. Matee
Lisa V. Adams
author_sort Zuhura I. Kimera
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Recent reports have indicated the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in animal production in neighboring Uganda, with further reports of use in several African countries. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in nine districts in Tanzania and involved screening for the presence of three first-line ARVs (lamivudine, nevirapine, and efavirenz) residues in the muscle and blood of domestic pigs and broiler chickenss and in sampled animal feed and water. Residues were determined using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The method involved calibration of the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) and limit of detection (LOD). ARVs were detected and quantified using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) system. Results 131 (66.8%) of the 196 samples of muscle, blood, and animal feed were found to contain lamivudine residues, with the highest concentration detected in domestic pig blood and muscle (7.58 mg/kg) and the lowest concentration (0.01 mg/kg) in broiler chicken feed. There was a significant relationship between the presence of lamivudine by sample type and sample origin (p = 0.000). Nevirapine and efavirenz drugs were not detected in any of the collected samples. No ARV residues were detected in water samples (n = 37). Conclusions This survey confirms the use of ARVs in animal production in Tanzania as evidenced by the presence of residues in animal feeds. We found lamivudine residues in domestic pigs and broiler chickens at concentrations higher than those recently reported in other East African studies. Farmers living with HIV may be using ARVs from their prescribed medication, which may lead to poor adherence and the emergence of drug resistance. Besides direct human and animal health issues, these residues in animal feeds and animal excreta can lead to environmental contamination leading to several negative impacts. We recommend a total ban on human-designated ARVs in animal production and advocate for comprehensive studies and monitoring systems across African countries to reveal potential societal and other reasons for their use and provide comprehensive solutions using One Health approaches.
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spelling doaj-art-5e38eec665f24fd8a86e8abfa5fd09212025-08-20T02:49:33ZengSpringerOpenBulletin of the National Research Centre2522-83072025-03-014911910.1186/s42269-025-01314-6Survey on human-designated antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues in broiler chicken, domestic pigs, and animal feeds in, TanzaniaZuhura I. Kimera0Peter Shimo1Emmanuel C. Balandya2Mecky I. N. Matee3Lisa V. Adams4Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesGovernment Chemistry Laboratory AuthorityDepartment of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesDepartment of Medicine, The Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthAbstract Background Recent reports have indicated the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in animal production in neighboring Uganda, with further reports of use in several African countries. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in nine districts in Tanzania and involved screening for the presence of three first-line ARVs (lamivudine, nevirapine, and efavirenz) residues in the muscle and blood of domestic pigs and broiler chickenss and in sampled animal feed and water. Residues were determined using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The method involved calibration of the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) and limit of detection (LOD). ARVs were detected and quantified using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) system. Results 131 (66.8%) of the 196 samples of muscle, blood, and animal feed were found to contain lamivudine residues, with the highest concentration detected in domestic pig blood and muscle (7.58 mg/kg) and the lowest concentration (0.01 mg/kg) in broiler chicken feed. There was a significant relationship between the presence of lamivudine by sample type and sample origin (p = 0.000). Nevirapine and efavirenz drugs were not detected in any of the collected samples. No ARV residues were detected in water samples (n = 37). Conclusions This survey confirms the use of ARVs in animal production in Tanzania as evidenced by the presence of residues in animal feeds. We found lamivudine residues in domestic pigs and broiler chickens at concentrations higher than those recently reported in other East African studies. Farmers living with HIV may be using ARVs from their prescribed medication, which may lead to poor adherence and the emergence of drug resistance. Besides direct human and animal health issues, these residues in animal feeds and animal excreta can lead to environmental contamination leading to several negative impacts. We recommend a total ban on human-designated ARVs in animal production and advocate for comprehensive studies and monitoring systems across African countries to reveal potential societal and other reasons for their use and provide comprehensive solutions using One Health approaches.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-025-01314-6
spellingShingle Zuhura I. Kimera
Peter Shimo
Emmanuel C. Balandya
Mecky I. N. Matee
Lisa V. Adams
Survey on human-designated antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues in broiler chicken, domestic pigs, and animal feeds in, Tanzania
Bulletin of the National Research Centre
title Survey on human-designated antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues in broiler chicken, domestic pigs, and animal feeds in, Tanzania
title_full Survey on human-designated antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues in broiler chicken, domestic pigs, and animal feeds in, Tanzania
title_fullStr Survey on human-designated antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues in broiler chicken, domestic pigs, and animal feeds in, Tanzania
title_full_unstemmed Survey on human-designated antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues in broiler chicken, domestic pigs, and animal feeds in, Tanzania
title_short Survey on human-designated antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues in broiler chicken, domestic pigs, and animal feeds in, Tanzania
title_sort survey on human designated antiretroviral arv drug residues in broiler chicken domestic pigs and animal feeds in tanzania
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-025-01314-6
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