The Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Salmonella Typhi Isolates Among Paediatric Patients: A Single-Center Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the pattern of Salmonella Typhi isolates among paediatric patients diagnosed with Enteric fever at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in paediatric department. Dr Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital Islamabad from January 2023-December 2023. Analysis of blood culture and sensitivity data from paediatric patients (2-12 years) diagnosed with enteric fever at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, over one-year period. Blood samples were processed using Standard microbiological techniques to confirm Salmonella Typhi and determine antimicrobial susceptibility.

Results: A total of 61 Salmonella Typhi isolates from paediatric patients were analysed with high resistance rates to first-line antibiotics, including Ampicillin (83.1%), Chloramphenicol (75.6%), and Co-trimoxazole (56.1%). Alarmingly,32% of isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance (MDR) and 27% showed extensive-drug resistance (XDR). However, Carbapenems (Imipenem and Meropenem) exhibited high efficacy with sensitivity rates of 98.2% and 98.3%, respectively.

Conclusion: The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant Salmonella Typhi strains in paediatric patients necessitates immediate attention and action. Our study emphasizes the urgent need for rational antibiotic use, enhance disease surveillance and develop effective control and prevention strategies to combat the spread of antibiotic-resistant Enteric fever.