Role of antibiotic therapy on long-term germ excretion in faeces and digestive symptoms after Salmonella infection

Background: The role of antibiotic therapy on Salmonella faecal excretion i s controversial, Acute Salmonella gastroenteritis induces long-lasting dige stive symptoms in up to one-third of subjects, The role of antimicrobial th erapy on persistent post-infectious symptoms is unknown. Aim: To investigat e the role of antibiotic therapy on long-term germ faecal excretion and dig estive symptoms after Salmonella infection. Subjects and methods: 1543 subjects [518 aged between 3 and 5 years (35.3%) ; 950 between 6 and 10 years (64.7%) and 75 adults (4.9%)] involved in a si ngle outbreak of Salmonella enteritis fulfilled the study criteria by repea ting stool cultures and answering a symptom questionnaire 3 months post-inf ection. Results: 327 subjects (21.2%) were treated with antibiotics during the acut e infection [121 children aged 3-5 years (23.4%), 175 children aged 6-10 ye ars (18.4%) and 31 adults (41.3%)]. Antibiotic treatment did not affect Sal monella excretion at any of the time points studied up to three months post -infection in any age group as compared to age-matched untreated controls, Persistent digestive symptoms were more common among the patients treated w ith antibiotics (9.5% vs. 2.9%; P = 0.003). Conclusions: Antibiotic therapy does not affect Salmonella enteritis excret ion. Digestive symptoms after clearance of the infectious agent are signifi cantly higher in patients treated with antibiotics during acute gastroenter itis.