PATTERN OF ANTIBIOTIC-SENSITIVITY OF SALMONELLA ISOLATES IN ASIR REGION, SOUTHERN PART OF SAUDI-ARABIA

Fifty-four cases of Salmonella typhi and paratyphi infection and 46 ca ses of Salmonella enteritidis infection, seen in Asir region, southern part of Saudi Arabia, during the period 1989-1991 inclusive, were stu died regarding antibiotic sensitivity in relation to nationalities. Re sistance to conventional enteric fever treatment was encountered to co -trimoxazole in 37.5% of the isolates, to chloramphenicol in 32% of is olates and to ampicillin in 30.8%. Multi-drug resistance is more commo n in labourers coming from the Indian sub-continent. Resistant cases w ere also seen among Syrian and Egyptian patients. Enteric fever in gen eral and drug resistance in particular are less commonly seen among th e Saudi population. In vitro study has shown that all Salmonella typhi and paratyphi isolates were sensitive to aminoglycosides. Salmonella enteritidis infection was more common among the Saudi population and h as shown resistance to tetracycline (27.3%), chloramphenicol (16.7%) a nd ampicillin (13.6%). All Salmonella enteritidis isolates were sensit ive to the aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin).