Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and
susceptibility pattern of S. typhi and S.
paratyhpi isolates in Zaria.
Methods: Blood samples collected from presumptive
typhoid fever patients from Ahmadu Bello University
(ABU), Federal College of Education (FCE) and
presumptive typhoid fever patients that attended two
private clinics (Salama Clinics and Savanna Polyclinics)
in Zaria were cultured for Salmonella species and
identified by standard procedures. The susceptibility of
the isolated organisms to ten antibiotics and the
minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using
the methods of the National Committee for Clinical
Laboratory Standards.
Results: Salmonella species infection rate
at FCE, ABU, Salama Clnics and Savanna Polyclinic were
9.3%, 16.5%, 12.4%, and 17.2%, respectively. 102
Salmonella species (71 S. typhi, 15 S.
paratyphi A and 16 S. paratyphi B) were
isolated. Unlike ofloxacin and nalidixic acid, there was
high resistance (60-100%) of the organisms to ampicillin,
amoxicillin, Augumentin, chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole,
gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, and tetracycline. The order
of susceptibility was ofloxacin > nalidixic acid >
nitrofurantoin > co-trimoxazole > chloramphenicol >
gentamicin > tetracycline > amoxicillin >ampicillin >
Augumentin. Resistance profile of Salmonella species
isolated from patients at ABU and FCE were
significantly higher than those of the private clinics.
Conclusion: Many antibiotics previously used to
treat typhoid fever are no longer effective. Laboratory
tests should therefore be a major consideration in the
choice of antibiotics for treatment of typhoid fever.
Keywords:
Prevalence, Salmonella species,
Antibiotics susceptibility, Resistance.
