Epidemiology of Non-Typhoidal Salmonella among patients attending a Tertiary Care Centre in central Kerala

Introduction : Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) species are important food borne pathogens with acute gastroenteritis being the most common clinical manifestation. Certain serovars of Salmonella show a much higher predilection for causing bacteraemia. Though NTS infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide; data on NTS in India are limited. Objectives : The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and epidemiology of Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) in central Kerala, and to compare their sensitivity patterns with typhoidal Salmonella. Methods : A retrospective study was done on the blood and stool culture samples received by the microbiology laboratory of a tertiary care centre from January 2012 to August 2014. NTS were isolated and identified using standard bacteriological methods, including serotyping with specific antisera. The geographical distribution, co-morbid conditions and antibiotic sensitivity patterns were analyzed. Results : A total of 15 cases of NTS were isolated of which three isolates were associated with bactaeremia. Most common isolates were S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis. We also isolated S. Weltreveden from two patients. Conclusion : Knowledge of the prevalent of serotypes and their sensitivities would be useful for epidemiological and treatment purposes.