Trends in Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella typhi Among Children in Lahore: A Six-Year Study (2018–2023)

Abstract

Background: Typhoid is known as the disease of preschool-aged children (aged 0–5 years) due to its high overall incidence, particularly among people residing in poor settings in low middle-income countries. The study aims to find the rates of drug-resistant Salmonella typhi in children in Lahore in the last six years (2018-2023). Methods: The study was conducted in collaboration with MMG and CRC from January 2018 to December 2023. It included patients who were susceptible to typhoid at a younger age, below 13 years, and who visited for diagnosis. The blood samples were processed in a microbiological laboratory according to standard operating procedures. Results: A total of 290 blood cultures were positive for S. typhi over six years. Most of them were males and kids aged 6-13. High percentages were found in 2019 and 2023. In addition, the hot season months acted as a typhoid risk factor. Ampicillin was the most resistant drug, whereas carbapenems were the least resistant. There were MDR XDR. Conclusion: An alarming pattern of antibiotic drug resistance was observed among children with enteric fever in Lahore. The lowest resistance levels were noted for azithromycin, meropenem, and imipenem. Our findings necessitate implementing tailored antibiotic stewardship and infection control strategies.