Culture and sensitivity of Salmonella species: analysis of a two year data.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the proportion and culture/sensitivity (C/S), pattern of different species of Salmonella in blood sent for C/S in a laboratory at a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was done on all blood samples sent for C/S to the laboratory of Ziauddin Medical University Hospital during two years period (Jan 1, 1998 to Dec 31, 1999). 9035 blood samples were received for C/S. All blood cultures were inoculated in thioglycolate broth and incubated at 37 degrees for 7 days. Positive blood cultures were processed, colonies were identified using standard biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibility was checked by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.


RESULTS
Three hundred and four (3.4%), out of 9035 blood cultures were positive for Salmonella, among them 220 (72%) were S. typhi, 82 (27%) paratyphi A or B and remaining were other species. Salmonella infection was more common in male (58%) and more prevalent in children under 10 years of age (58%). Ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole resistance was (46.5%), (39.3%) and (44.8%) respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Ampicillin chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole, the first line of drugs for the treatment of infection are losing their efficacy and most of the organisms have developed resistance against these drugs.
Saqib
A
A
Department of Microbiology, Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi.
Ahmed
A
A
D002648:Child; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010284:Paratyphoid Fever / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012482:Salmonella paratyphi A; D012484:Salmonella paratyphi B; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000453:epidemiology