Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Isolates in A Holiday Center on the South of Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Salmonella is an important pathogen that causes food-borne infection in children and adults worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of antimicrobial agents against Salmonella isolates in Alanya, an important holiday center in Turkey.

Material and Method: The study was carried out at Baskent University Alanya Research and Teaching Hospital between January 2004 and September 2013. Salmonella spp. were isolated from stool samples and stored at -80 degrees C for antimicrobial susceptibility. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria. The antimicrobial agents tested against Salmonella spp. included ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacine and ceftriaxone. Quality control was ensured by testing Escherichia coli ATCC 25922.

Results: A total of 63 consecutive Salmonella spp. were assessed for their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, 21 of which were obtained from travellers. Serogroup D1 was the most common serotype (65.1%), followed by B (22.2%), A (7.9%), C1 (1.6%) and C2-C3 (3.2%). The resistances against ampicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol were found to be 15.9%, 15.9%, 14.3%, and 11.1%, respectively. None of the strains was resistant to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, while 14.3% were nalidixic acid-resistant. Antimicrobial resistance rates of Salmonella isolates obtained from travellers and local residents were not significantly different (p>0.05).

Conclusion: This study suggests that ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone can be used as empirical therapies in patients who are suspected to have salmonellosis with predisposing factors to severe infection and a history of travel to Alanya, Turkey. However, the nalidixic acid resistance of Salmonella isolates may be a cause for concern.