Serogroups and antimicrobial susceptibility of non-typhoidal salmonellas in children

Objectives: To update knowledge regarding the pattern of Serogroups and ant imicrobial susceptibility of Salmonellas causing gastroenteritis in childre n at the King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period of 1st April 1996 to 30th September 1999. Methods: The case records of 416 children, from whom Salmonella species wer e isolated from stool cultures between April 1996 and September 1999 were r eviewed. The isolates and susceptibility of these Salmonella were carried o ut accordingly to standard microbiological methods. Results: During a period of 3 and 1/2 years a total of 412 non-typhoidal Sa lmonellas were Isolated from stool cultures of 416 children who presented t o King Khalid University Hospital complaining of gastroenteritis. The major ity of these children (70%) belonged to the age group 0-4 years, Eighty sev en percent of the Salmonella isolates were Serogroup D1, B and C1. The Sero groups and antimicrobial susceptibility of these Salmonellas differed from those previously reported from this country and other parts of the world. Conclusions: Salmonella gastroenteritis is an important clinical condition in infants and children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Salmonella Serogrou ps D1, B and C predominate as causative agents of this condition. Most of t he salmonella serogroups isolated in this study were highly susceptible to commonly used antimicrobial agents but ampicillin showed a rising resistanc e pattern. This may make it unsuitable therapy for Salmonella gastroenterit is.