Asymptomatic salmonellosis and drug susceptibility in the Buea District, Cameroon.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives were to investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic Salmonella infections in Buea and determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates cultured from carriers.


METHODS
This was a descriptive study. Subjects were randomly selected from the community. Stool samples or rectal swabs were collected after consent to participate in the study. These samples were cultured on standard media. Salmonella species isolated were tested for antibiotic sensitivity by the agar diffusion method.


METHODS
The study was carried out in three localities of the Buea district of Cameroon namely Molyko, Great Soppo and Bolifamba.


METHODS
156 participants aged three months to 47 years old who were not suffering from fever, gastroenteritis or other signs and symptoms were recruited.


METHODS
Carriers of Salmonella were referred to the medical doctor of the university of Buea Health Unit.


METHODS
Asymptomatic carriers could eventually form the basis of an effective epidemiological surveillance system in developing rational strategies to control Salmonella infections.


RESULTS
Salmonella species were isolated in 62 (39.7%) subjects with the following distribution: eight (5.1%) S. typhi, 19 (12.2%) S. paratyphi and 35 (22.4%) S. typhimurium. No significant difference was observed between those who were infected with the different Salmonella species (p > 0.05). The most effective antibiotic was ofloxacin while resistance to chloramphenicol was remarkable. S. typhimurium showed the highest resistance to all antibiotics tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The population of Buea is at risk of acquiring Salmonella infections from asymptomatic individuals. An effective surveillance system to detect carriers and properly treat them is highly recommended.
Nkuo-Akenji
T K
TK
Department of Life Sciences, University of Buea, P O Box 63, Buea, South West Province, Republic of Cameroon.
Ntemgwa
M L
ML
Ndip
R N
RN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*