EMERGING QUINOLONE-RESISTANT SALMONELLA IN THE UNITED-STATES

We conducted a national survey of antimicrobial resistance in human cl inical isolates of Salmonella between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1995. Every tenth nontyphoidal Salmonella isolate received at state public health laboratories in the United States during this period was tested for resistance to 12 antimicrobial agents, including two quinolones, nalidixic acid, and ciprofloxacin. Emerging quinolone resistance was d etected; of 4,008 isolates tested, 21 (0.5%) were resistant to nalidix ic acid, and one (0.02%) was resistant to ciprofloxacin. Continued sur veillance for quinolone-resistant Salmonella is necessary, particularl y after the recent approval of a fluoroquinolone for use in animals in tended for food in the United States.