Prevalence of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and intestinal parasites among food handlers working in University of Gondar student's cafeteria, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Food-borne infections continue to be a major public health problem at the international level. The issue becomes more serious in developing countries like Ethiopia. Objective: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species and intestinal parasites, as well as antimicrobial resistance patterns and associated factors among food handlers at the University of Gondar cafeteria in northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2021 in the University of Gondar cafeterias. Data related to the socio-demographic characteristics and hygienic practices of study participants were collected using structured questionnaires. A total of 290 stool samples were collected from food handlers. Culture and conventional biochemical tests were used to isolate the Salmonella and the Shigella species. Wet mount, Formol-ether concentration, and Kato Katz techniques were applied to identify intestinal parasites. Additionally, drug susceptibility tests were performed using the disk diffusion method. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 26. Results: Of 290 food handlers' stool samples analyzed, Twenty-seven 27 (9.3%) were positive for both Salmonella and Shigella species. The prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species was 16 (5.5%) and 11 (3.8%), respectively. Most of the isolated pathogens were resistant to tetracycline 19 (70.4%), and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole 19 (70.4%). The overall rate of multi-drug resistant Shigella and Salmonella isolate was 59.3%. Besides, Fifty-seven 57 (19.7%) of the participants were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. The most prevalent intestinal Parasitosis was E. histolytica/dispar 22 (7.6%), followed by G. lamblia 13 (4.5%), and Ascaris lumbricoides 11 (3.8) not washing hands after using the toilet (AOR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.57, 10.56), and consuming unpasteurized milk (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.65, 3.96), were factors significantly associated with the prevalence of Salmonella, and Shigella infection. Similarly, not washing hands after using the toilet (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.4), and consuming unpasteurized milk (AOR: 10.4, 95% CI: 3.8, 28.8), were factors significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasites, Salmonella, and Shigella species was high. Therefore, it is imperative to implement a public health policy that includes ongoing microbiological surveillance.

Clinico-Microbiological Correlation in Salmonella Endophthalmitis: Case Series and Review of Literature.

PURPOSE: To report two rare cases of Salmonella endogenous endophthalmitis in an immunocompromised premature baby and an immunocompetent adult and do a brief literature review of related cases. Diagnosis in both cases was confirmed only after the pathogen grew from ocular samples, in the absence of clear signs of enteric fever. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical and microbiology records. RESULTS: Both of our cases of Salmonella endophthalmitis had poor visual outcome, despite timely and aggressive management and irrespective of immune status of the patient. Salmonella infection being a rare cause of endophthalmitis was not initially suspected as the adult had minimal systemic symptoms 2 weeks before presentation, while the preterm baby was still on milk feeds. These were just two microbiologically confirmed cases of Salmonella endophthalmitis at our institute over the past 10 years, though enteric fever due to Salmonella species is endemic in Asian countries. CONCLUSIONS: Salmonella endophthalmitis, though rare, leads to poor visual outcomes despite early recognition and aggressive management and may be confused with other infections or non-infectious entities such as necrotizing retinoblastoma in babies, in the absence of clear systemic signs of the disease.

Comprehensive Analysis of Salmonella Species Antibiogram and Evolving Patterns in Empirical Therapy: Insights From Tertiary Care Hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Background Typhoid fever presents a significant challenge in developing nations, exacerbated by the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains due to widespread prevalence and overuse of antibiotics. This study seeks to assess the antibiogram profiles of Salmonella species isolated from blood cultures of patients hospitalized at two prominent tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan: Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) and Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC). By examining these profiles, the research aims to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of antibiotic resistance in the context of typhoid fever management. Materials and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized data gathered from two hospitals in Peshawar, KTH and HMC. Cases of enteric fever were identified based on positive blood cultures for Salmonella species. The study encompasses demographic information, seasonal prevalence, and antibiogram profiles of 3,137 cases that were presented between 2017 and 2023. Results Among the total 3,137 cases, males accounted for the majority, comprising 63% (2,044 cases). Particularly notable was the clustering of cases among children and adolescents aged one to 24 years. The incidence peaked during the months of summer and spring, from April to September. In terms of Salmonella Typhi isolates, considerable resistance was noted against first-line antibiotics such as amoxicillin/clavulanate (80.1%), co-trimoxazole/trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (66.6%), and chloramphenicol (86.9%), as well as against ceftriaxone (79.7%) and ciprofloxacin (51.6%). Conversely, certain antibiotics displayed higher sensitivity patterns, including meropenem (97.8%), doripenem (99.5%), imipenem (97.7%), ertapenem (96.5%), polymyxin B (99.4%), colistin (98.1%), and tigecycline (97.3%). Despite a limited sample size of 214 specimens, fosfomycin demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity of 93.4%. Sensitivities of amikacin and gentamicin were 90.7% and 81.5%, respectively. However, the sensitivity of azithromycin was concerning, standing at 66.5%. The antibiogram pattern for Salmonella exhibited significant and drastic changes. Conclusion In conclusion, this study sheds light on a higher prevalence of typhoid fever among males, with a notable seasonal peak observed during the summer and spring months. The age group most affected spans from one to 24 years. Salmonella isolates displayed significant resistance to conventional first-line antibiotics, alongside ciprofloxacin and third-generation cephalosporins. Azithromycin exhibited lower sensitivity compared to amikacin, gentamicin, and fosfomycin. The research advocates for the empirical use of amikacin, gentamicin, fosfomycin, and meropenem in the treatment of typhoid fever in Pakistan. Urgent measures, including regular Salmonella antibiogram surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, public health education, and Salmonella vaccination programs, are deemed crucial for primary disease prevention.

Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella Species Isolates from Chickens in Live Bird Markets and Boot Swabs from Layer Farms in Timor-Leste.

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global concern, and high levels of resistance have been detected in chicken populations worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from healthy chickens in Timor-Leste. Through a cross-sectional study, cloacal swabs and boot swabs were collected from 25 live bird markets and two layer farms respectively. E. coli and Salmonella spp. from these samples were tested for susceptibility to six antimicrobials using a disk diffusion test, and a subset was tested for susceptibility to 27 antimicrobials using broth-based microdilution. E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolates showed the highest resistance towards either tetracycline or ampicillin on the disk diffusion test. E. coli from layer farms (odds ratio:5.2; 95%CI 2.0-13.1) and broilers (odds ratio:18.1; 95%CI 5.3-61.2) were more likely to be multi-drug resistant than those from local chickens. Based on the broth-based microdilution test, resistance to antimicrobials in the Timor-Leste Antimicrobial Guidelines for humans were low, except for resistance to ciprofloxacin in Salmonella spp. (47.1%). Colistin resistance in E. coli was 6.6%. Although this study shows that antimicrobial resistance in chickens was generally low in Timor-Leste, there should be ongoing monitoring in commercial chickens as industry growth might be accompanied with increased antimicrobial use.

Determinación de Salmonella spp. y endoparásitos en zanates, quiscalus mexicanus, del parque de Cañas, Guanacaste / Determination of species of salmonella and endoparasites in grackles, quiscalus mexicanus, in the park of Cañas, Guancaste, Costa Rica

Se determinó la prevalencia de Salmonella spp. en 60 muestras de heces de zanates, quiscalus mexicanus, provenientes de Cañas, Guanacaste, debido a que se ha observado la presencia de estos animales en establecimientos dedicados a la producción exhaustiva de proteína animal, aves, cerdos, etc. Tres muestras fueron positivas, 5 por ciento, y se aislaron los serotipos Montevideo, Saint Paul y Carrau. Además, se comparó la efectividad del medio Rappaport-Vasiliadis Peptona de Soya perteneciente a una casa comercial, con el caldo Rappaport-Vasiliadis preparado en el laboratorio a partir de los ingredientes. Se obtuvo una diferencia significativa entre ambos caldos de enriquecimiento, p = 0.04.4. Se capturaron 28 individuos en la primera parte y en la segunda parte de esta investigación se capturaron 32. Las aves fueron eutanasiadas y se les realizó necropsia, exámenes de sangre y de contenido intestinal para determinar la presencia de endoparásitos. Se encontraron varios especímenes de céstodos y acantocéfalos en el intestino de las aves. En los exámenes de contenido intestinal se encontraron además huevos de nemátodos y ooquistes de coccidios del género Isospora. Las microfilarias fueron los únicos hemoparásitos encontrados en los frotis sanguíneos.

Prevalence of Salmonella spp. was determined in 60 fecal samples obtained from great tailed grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) from Cañas, Guanacaste, since their presence has been observed in sites which produce animal protein (poultry, pork, etc.) Serovars Montevideo, Saint Paul and Carrau were isolated from 3 samples (5%). Effectiveness of commercially available Rappaport-Vasiliadis Soy peptone was compared with that of Rappaport-Vasiliadis broth prepared from the ingredients. A significant difference was obtained (p=0.04) between both enrichment broths. 28 grackles were captured for the first part and for the second part of this study, 32 great tailed grackles were captured and examined for endoparasites. Cestodes and acanthocephalan parasites were found during post mortem examination of the large intestine. Microscopic examination of intestinal samples revealed the presence of coccidian parasites of the genera Isospora, and two types of nematode eggs. Blood samples showed the presence of filarial infections.