In vitro activity of gentamicin and amikacin against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi: a search for a treatment regimen for typhoid fever

The emergence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin and 3rd-generation cephalosporins is a concern for physicians in developing countries. This study assessed the in vitro activity of gentamicin and amikacin against 464 S. enterica serovar Typhi isolates obtained from blood of patients clinically suspected of enteric fever who attended the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine from 1991 to 2003. The isolates were sensitive to gentamicin and amikacin, showing minimum inhibitory concentrations 0.01-4 microg/mL and 0.005-3.5 microg/mL respectively. Both agents showed bactericidal activity at concentrations of 2 microg/mL after incubation for 6 hours. Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin and amikacin may thus be introduced as a treatment regimen for typhoid fever

Bacterial etiologic agents of urinary tract infection in children in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The bacterial agents of urinary tract infections were studied in 1650 children under 12 years of age between April 1993 and March 1995. It was found that 25.8% [425/1650] of infants and children showed bacteriuria [>10[5] bacteria per millilitre of urine]. Escherichia coli was responsible for 71.0% of all infections. Infections caused by Proteus spp. were predominantly found in boys. Girls showed a higher prevalence of infection [35.3%] than boys [18.3%], which was statistically highly significant [P < 0.001]. The most commonly isolated bacteria were partially or totally sensitive to the aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid