SALMONELLA INFECTIONS IN ASIR REGION, SOUTHERN SAUDI-ARABIA - EXPATRIATE IMPLICATIONS

One hundred forty-two cases of salmonella infection seen in Asir regio n, Southern Saudi Arabia, during the period of 1989-1991 inclusive, we re analyzed. Ninety-four cases were found to have enteric fever and 48 cases were found to have Salmonella enteritidis gastroenteritis. Ente ric fever is more common in non-Saudis (64%) than in the indigenous Sa udi population (34%). Salmonella enteritidis gastroenteritis is more c ommon among the Saudi population (75%) than non-Saudis (25%). The clin ical presentation of both types of salmonella infection is outlined. E nteric fever is more common among expatriates who recently came from I ndia (40.5%), Egypt (10.6%), Pakistan (6.4%), and Syria (4.3%). Salmon ella typhi resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol are more common among Indian patients (75% of resistant cases) and Syr ian patients (12.5-28% of resistant cases). Resistance to cotrimoxazol e is commonly encountered in Indians (50% of resistant cases) and Egyp tians (33.3%). Salmonella enteritidis resistant to tetracycline, ampic illin, and chloramphenicol is more common among Saudis (66.7% of resis tant cases) and Filipinos (16.7-33.3% of resistant cases). Recommendat ions regarding screening of expatriates for enteric fever and proper d rug therapy of possible resistant cases are outlined.