Antibiotic resistance pattern of Salmonella enterica typhi infection in paediatric population at a iertiary level hospital

Background: Enteric fever is an important public health condition in developing countries. Antibiotic resistance patterns in Salmonella enterica typhi (S. typhi) infections are constantly changing. Continual surveillance of resistance levels of S. typhi is critical for clinicians to update antibiotic options.Objectives: To evaluate the current trends in antibiotic sensitivity and resistance to S. typhi in children in developing countries.Method: A cross sectional observational study was carried out on 102 children aged 6 months to 5 years with culture positive S. typhi infection in a tertiary care hospital in North India. Antibiotic susceptibility information of S. typhi was collected and the pattern of antibiotic resistance was analysed.Results: S. typhi showed a sensitivity of 78.4% to ampicillin and 99% to trimethoprim+ sulfamethoxazole which were the previously used antibiotics. However, it showed 100% resistance to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid. Of the currently used first line IV antibiotics, there was a 88.4% sensitivity to ceftriaxone and a 98% sensitivity to meropenem.Conclusions: The study concluded that there is reemergence of antibiotic sensitivity of S. typhi to earlier first line drugs like ampicillin and trimethoprim– sulfamethoxazole.