[Emergence of multidrug resistant Salmonella strains in Lome (Togo)].

OBJECTIVE

This study had for aim to compare antibiotic resistance of 332 Salmonella enterica strains identified in human samples in the course of infections, in Lome.

DESIGN

The strains were collected over two periods: 1998-2002 (N=168) and 2003-2004 (N=164). The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by disk diffusion assay.

RESULTS

The main serotypes identified were 147 Salmonella Typhi (44.3%), 97 Salmonella Typhimurium (29.2%), and 74 Salmonella Enteritidis (22.3%). The proportions of strains resistant to chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazol, and amoxicillin (first line antibiotics) varied respectively from 33, 46, and 57% in 1998-2002 to 73, 79, and 82% in 2003-2004 (P<0.0001). The percentage of resistance to ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone was inferior to 10%.

CONCLUSION

Fluoroquinolones and third generation cephalosporins have become the first line antibiotics for the treatment of Salmonella in Lome (Togo).