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Demonstration of persistence of Salmonella typhimurium in an AIDS patient by molecular methods
A E Fica1, H W Horowitz, H Lior
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla.
Abstract:
We document microbiological persistence of the same Salmonella typhimurium strain in an AIDS patient during 7 months of clinical observation despite prolonged quinolone therapy. Persistence was demonstrated by phage types that closely resembled one another, similar antibiotic resistance patterns, conserved restriction fragment length polymorphism of chromosomal DNA digested with different DNA restriction enzymes, identical ribotypes, and IS200 types in four characterized sequential isolates of S. typhimurium.
Insights
Salmonella typhimurium persisted in an AIDS patient for 7 months, resisting quinolone therapy. Genetic analysis confirmed the same bacterial strain remained throughout the observation period.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- AIDS Research
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Salmonella typhimurium infections can cause severe illness, especially in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- Quinolone antibiotics are commonly used to treat Salmonella infections.
Observation:
- This study observed a single AIDS patient over a 7-month period.
- The patient received prolonged quinolone therapy for a Salmonella typhimurium infection.
- Sequential isolates of the bacterium were collected and analyzed.
Findings:
- Microbiological persistence of the identical Salmonella typhimurium strain was documented throughout the 7-month observation.
- The persistent strain exhibited conserved characteristics including phage type, antibiotic resistance patterns, and genetic markers (RFLP, ribotypes, IS200 types).
- Despite prolonged quinolone treatment, the same strain of S. typhimurium remained in the patient.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for prolonged microbiological persistence of Salmonella typhimurium in AIDS patients, even with extended quinolone therapy.
- Understanding mechanisms of bacterial persistence is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies in immunocompromised populations.
- Further research is needed to explore factors contributing to treatment failure and persistent infections in AIDS patients.
