Salmonella senftenberg outbreak in a neonatal unit

Area of Science:

• Neonatal infectious diseases
• Bacteriology
• Public health

Background:

• Salmonella senftenberg is an opportunistic pathogen.
• Neonates, especially preterm and low birth weight infants, are vulnerable to severe infections.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical features and outcomes of Salmonella senftenberg infection in newborns.
• To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolated S. senftenberg strains.
• To evaluate the efficacy of different treatment regimens.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 35 newborn cases with S. senftenberg isolation from stool samples.
• Clinical data collection including demographics, symptoms, and treatment.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using standard methods.

Main Results:

• S. senftenberg was isolated from 35 newborns, predominantly preterm (82.8%) and low birth weight (74%) infants.
• Common symptoms included loose stools, weight loss, sclerema, jaundice, and paralytic ileus, with rapid onset (within 6 days).
• The organism showed high sensitivity to nalidixic acid and amikacin, but resistance to penicillin and ampicillin. A combination of cephaloridine and amikacin yielded good response.

Conclusions:

• Salmonella senftenberg poses a significant threat to vulnerable newborns, causing severe illness and mortality.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns highlight the importance of appropriate antibiotic selection.
• Combination therapy with cephaloridine and amikacin, alongside supportive care, appears effective in managing these infections.