Abstract:
Objective: To determine the current trend of antimicrobial susceptibility of typhoidal Salmonellae.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi,
from January 2014 to December 2015.
Methodology: Blood culture samples received from the wards and outpatient departments were included. Isolates of
Salmonella were dealt with standard microbiological procedures. The antimicrobial sensitivity against the typhoidal
Salmonellae was determined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per the guidelines of Clinical and Laboratory
Standards Institute (2013).
Results: A total of 460 typhoidal Salmonellae were isolated; out of which 270 were Salmonella typhi and 190 were
Salmonella paratyphi A. The percentage of MDR isolates of S. typhi was 57% and that of S. paratyphi A was 42%. None
of the isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone, while sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (07% and 0% for S. typhi and S. paratyphi A,
respectively) was very low.
Conclusion: There is high percentage of MDR isolates of typhoidal Salmonellae in our region. The antimicrobial sensitivity
of typhoidal Salmonellae to conventional agent has not improved enough to recommend their empirical use. There is
almost complete resistance to fluoroquinolones as well, leaving very limited available treatment options.
