XDR Salmonella- An Emerging Threat in Swabi

Abstract

Objective: To highlight the threat to effective treatment in more adversely affected areas like Swabi, with XDR Salmonella and stringent implementation of preventive measures to curb the spread of the pathogen.

Methodology: This was a retrospective study conducted from August, 2022 to July, 2023 at Microbiology Laboratory MTI- GKMC/BKMC, Swabi. A total of 2996 blood cultures from patients were submitted at the Microbiology Department, Swabi. All samples were incubated in Bactec 9120 and processed as per standard guidelines, followed by being subcultured on Blood and Mac Conkey agar. On obtaining the non- lactose fermenting colonies, further confirmation of Salmonella species was carried out by biochemical tests followed by final confirmation with API 10S. Antibiotic sensitivity was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Demographic data of the patients was also recorded.

Results: A total of 2996 blood cultures were received in the said duration, out of which 208 were found culture positive for Salmonella species. Out of all the confirmed Salmonella typhi 80% of the isolates were XDR.

Conclusion: Reporting this high incidence of XDR Salmonella species, for the first time from Swabi, KPK is a serious concern, to scrutinize the level of AMR in this region and therefore Pakistan. It is imperative that strict evidence based, tailored as per region, policies need to be implemented strictly to stop the misuse of antibiotics.