Azithromycin: Is it a favorable alternative therapeutic option against salmonella species ?

Abstract

Background: For decades chloramphenicol has been highly effective against S. typhi and S.paratyphyi . However the known hematological side effects of chloramphenicol and the widespread emergence of multiple drug resistance (MDR) to S. typhi has necessitated the search for other therapeutic options .
Aim of study: To compare between azithromycin and chloramphenicol as antimicrobial drugs for isolated salmonella species
Materials and Methods: 65 isolates of salmonella spp. was collected by performing blood culture and stool culture for suspected patients with history of typhoid fever and diarrhea at Maternity and Child teaching Hospital in Diwaniyah city. For each isolates antimicrobial susceptibilities for azothromycin and chloramphenicol were determined by Disk diffusion methods.In addition, a broth dilution tests for azithromycin were performed by using serial dilution of concentrations ranging from 4- 32 mg\ liter to record the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for azithromycin .
Results: The isolated salmonella species are high susceptible of to azithromycin in comparison to chloramphenicol with lower MIC.
Conclusion: though it needs further clinical studies, azithromycin seems to be a suitable therapeutic option for the treatment of typhoid fever in children as well as in adult.