Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Salmonella enterica of the Blood Culture Isolates Amongst Febrile Patients: One and Half Year Hospital Based Retrospective Study

Enteric fever, which is caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi/ Paratyphi A, B, and C is an endemic febrile illness in India. The objective of this retrospective study was to analysed the patterns of drug resistance in Salmonella enterica isolates in blood culture isolates among febrile patients. A tertiary care institution conducted a one and a half years retrospective analysis (July 2022–Dec 2023). An observational, prospective study screened febrile malaria-negative adults and children for typhoid fever. Venous blood samples were aseptically obtained, inoculated in blood culture bottles, and processed using automated equipment (BacT/Alert 3D, BioMerieux) according to standard protocols. Salmonella antisera for slide method (Bacterial Antisera Denka Seiken Tokyo, Japan) serotype grouping verified probable enteric fever isolates. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion was used to test antimicrobial susceptibility under Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2023. A total of 29,211 blood culture samples were received in the bacteriology laboratory from one and half year. Among them, 17994 samples (61%) tested positive for blood culture. Amongst febrile patients, 0.3% (49 isolates) of the 17994 blood culture samples tested positive for Salmonella enterica. Female patients were more compared to male (F>M). Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi 6 (12.24%) was more prevalent from serotyping. Which were 80% resistant to Ciprofloxacin, 25% with Cefixime and 14% with Chloramphenicol. Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi blood culture isolates were 100% sensitive to ceftriaxone, imipenem, and azithromycin. This study highlights the importance of ongoing assessment and careful utilization of antimicrobials, taking into account the constantly evolving situation. Monitoring antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enterica is of utmost significance.