Prevalence of Salmonella Infections and Antibiotic Resistance Profile in Malnourished Children Aged 06 to 59 Months at the CHAD-CHINA Friendship Hospital and CHUME in N'djamena (Chad)

Abstract

Aims: The increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics has become a major public health issue worldwide, requiring data to be updated in order to adapt treatment. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiology of salmonellosis and the degree of sensitivity of Salmonella to different antibiotics in malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months in the city of N'Djamena. Study design:  Mention the design of the study here. Place and Duration of Study: At the CHAD-CHINA Friendship Hospital and CHUME in N'djamena (Chad), between May 2023 and July 2023. Methodology: Salmonella spp. bacteria were isolated from stool and blood samples taken from these children using the usual method. Prevalence was determined by the Widal test and stool culture, while identification was performed using standard microbiological methods and confirmed by the API20E gallery. Results: A total of 103 children aged 6 to 59 months were screened at the UNTs. A prevalence of 42 children, or 40.77%, were non-malnourished children (controls) and 61 children, or 59.22%, were malnourished (cases). Of the latter, 39 malnourished children were found to be infected with salmonella (37.86%) during this study. With regard to the reaction of salmonella to antibiotics, we found that the germs isolated from malnourished children were resistant to antibiotics, namely 1.00% to ceftriaxone, 5.8% to vancomycin, 1.00% to cefepime, 1.00% to ciprofloxacin, 1.00% to amoxicillin, 1.00% to gentamicin, 1.00% to chloramphenicol, and 1.00% to norfloxacin. These results differ from those in non-malnourished children, where the only resistance was to norfloxacin at 1.00%. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant correlation between precarious nutritional status and the increased prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains in children.