Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of S. Typhi in bacteremia isolates and their sensitivity against Azithromycin.
Methodology: This study was conducted at the clinical microbiology laboratory of Ziauddin University Karachi, Pakistan from January to June 2014 and included 196 patients suspected of having typhoid. Blood cultures were processed using the BACTEC 9240 automated system. Culture positive blood was then further processed by Gram staining and Gram negative bacilli were identified by biochemical profile and serological testing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Chi square test was applied to test effect of modifiers on outcome considering p≤0.05 as significant.
Results: Out of 196 patients, 80 tested positive and had salmonella Typhi, while 116 tested negative. Out of total 51 male patients, 47 were sensitive to Azithromycin. Out of total 29 female patients, all 29 were sensitive to Azithromycin. No significant association between gender and Azithromycin susceptibility was found (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Salmonella typhi, responsible for causing enteric fever is still prevalent. A significant numbers were susceptible to azithromycin, which could be an alternative treatment option in these patients.

Key words: Salmonella Typhi, Multi drug resistant Salmonella Typhi, Blood Culture, Azithromycin susceptibility, Typhoid fever.