Aim The study sought to determine the multidrug resistance (MDR) of Salmonella enterica typhi and paratyphi A isolates in correlation with the presence of virulent markers detected by a PCR-based approach. Methods Blood and stool samples were collected from suspected cases and further confirmation was done serologically and bacteriologically. The isolated strains were clustered using RAPD analysis. The multidrug resistance pattern of the isolates was checked against a panel of antibiotics and screened for the presence of biochemical and molecular virulent markers including fimA and stn by PCR methods. Results In total 368 suspected cases were identified. The geographical distribution showed 84 cases from the north zone (Lalgudi), 110 from the south zone (Palakarai), 91 from the east zone (Mattur and Tiruverambur) and 83 from the west zone (Petavaithalai). Among the 368 suspected cases, 349 (94.8%) and 177 (48.13%) cases were confirmed as typhoid fever serologically and bacteriologically, respectively. The clinical sample culturing yielded 144 isolates, of which 117 were S. typhi and 27 were S. paratyphi A. Both S. typhi and S. paratyphi A showed an absolute resistance pattern (100%) against chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline with next higher incidence of resistance against nalidixic acid and streptomycin. Irrespective of the presence of biochemical markers, all MDR strains showed the presence of fimA and stn. Conclusion No resistance pattern was observed for ceftriaxone, cephotaxime and co-trimoxazole. Thus, in this regard, the above-mentioned antibiotics can be used for the effective treatment of typhoid fever in this study locality. Molecular fingerprinting led to the hypothesis of diverse routes of Salmonella transmission and a putative high virulence potential for the isolates characterized.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.