NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have identified a strain of Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis (S. choleraesuis) that is resistant to ceftriaxone, an antibiotic that has been a reliable treatment in the past. The emergence of this strain, say the investigators, could have important public health implications.
Over the years, they point out that S. choleraesuis has developed resistance to a variety of antimicrobial agents, especially fluoroquinolones. Until now, however, the microbe has always demonstrated sensitivity to ceftriaxone.
In the April 17th issue of The Lancet, Dr. J. T. Ou, from Chang Gung University in Taoyuan, Taiwan, and colleagues describe a strain of S. choleraesuis that was isolated from a 58-year-old man with sepsis.
The organism was found to be resistant to all standard anti-salmonella antibiotics as well as to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Treatment with imipenem-cilastatin was unsuccessful and the patient died 7 days after hospital admission.
The ciprofloxacin resistance was apparently due to mutations in two bacterial genes. The ceftriaxone resistance resulted from the presence of gene carried on a transposon-like mobile element.
“The appearance of this resistant S. choleraesuis,” the researchers conclude, “is a serious threat to public health. Constant surveillance is needed to prevents its further spread.”
Source: Lancet 2004;363:1285-1286. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Biological Phenomena: Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity: Biological Sciences: Biology: Drug Resistance, Microbial: Genetics: Genetics, Microbial: Microbiologic Phenomena: Pharmacogenetics: Salmonella enterica: Biological SciencesCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
