ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN OF BLOODSTREAM BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM ENTERIC FEVER PATIENTS: A PROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background:Enteric fever continues to remain a major public health problem, especially in regions of South-East Asia due to poor sanitation and personal hygiene. Bangladesh open prone to enteric fever outbreaks and is an endemic region of typhoid fever. Enteric fever caused by Salmonella typhi has not yet been adequately explored in this region. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has complicated the treatment and management of enteric fever.Aims:To describe the pattern of bacterial isolates from the blood cultures and determine their antibiotic resistance in cases of bacteremia due to enteric fever.  Methodology: This was a laboratory based prospective cross sectional study. A total of 62 isolates of Salmonella typhi&Salmonella paratyphi were found in the blood C/S report. Blood cultures were performed to isolate bacteria and susceptibility to antibiotics was assessed as per standard procedures of microbiological methods. The data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 22.0 software.Results: Among the total isolates studied, 20% was S. typhi were found multidrug resistant (defined as resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole).  There was a decrease in the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and azithromycin. Ceftriaxone and cefixime showed 100 % sensitivity. Conclusion:MDR Salmonella typhi continues to be important public health issue. Presence ciprofloxacin and azithromycin resistance is a concern and requires further study.

Keywords: Enteric fever, Antibiotic resistance, Bacteremia, MDR.