Serotype distribution, antibiotic resistance and clinical features of salmonella infections

Abstract

Objective: Salmonellosis still causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Antibiotic resistance developed in Salmonella strains which can cause problems in the treatment of serious infections all over the world. Material and Methods: Between December 2007 and July 2010, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with Salmonella infection, as well as serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella strains were evaluated retrospectively by using medical database of Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity, Child Health and Disease Training and Research Hospital. Results: The median age of the patients was 34.5 months. A total of 98 Salmonella strains were examined. Ninety two (93.9%) were cultured in stool, 3 (3.1%) in urine, 2 (2%) in blood and 1 (1%) in culture of purulent material obtained from perforated appendicitis. The most frequent clinic presentation was acute gastroenteritis. Chronic gastroenteritis, bacteriemia, febrile convulsion, acute appendicitis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, invagination, septic shock and encephalopathy were also determined in the study group. One patient who had S. paratyphi B bacteremia was diagnosed with pneumonia. Resistance rates to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin were 19.4%, 8.1%, 1% and 1%, respectively. Resistance-related treatment failure occurred in one patient. Conclusion: Salmonella infections can lead to different clinical pictures which require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotic treatment in addition to acute gastroenteritis. Detection of serotype and follow-up of antibiotic resistance would be useful for the treatment of serious infections caused by Salmonella strains. © 2014 by Türkiye Klinikleri.