Selection of multiple resistance in Salmonella enteritidis during treatment with ciprofloxacin

C Pers1, P Søgaard, L Pallesen

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.

Insights

A Salmonella enteritidis strain resistant to multiple antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, was identified in a patient with a splenic abscess. This highlights the importance of early surgery for invasive Salmonella infections and the risk of ciprofloxacin monotherapy selecting for resistant strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Salmonella enteritidis is a common cause of bacterial infections.
  • Splenic abscesses are serious, potentially life-threatening infections.
  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern.

Observation:

  • A patient with a splenic abscess caused by Salmonella enteritidis presented with a strain resistant to ciprofloxacin, beta-lactams, and chloramphenicol.
  • The patient was undergoing treatment with ciprofloxacin for the splenic abscess.

Findings:

  • The observed Salmonella enteritidis strain exhibited multi-drug resistance (MDR).
  • Ciprofloxacin treatment alone may inadvertently select for and promote the emergence of MDR Salmonella strains.
  • The patient's infection was complicated by the presence of this resistant strain.

Implications:

  • Early surgical intervention is crucial for managing invasive Salmonella infections like splenic abscesses.
  • Judicious use of antibiotics, particularly fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin, is essential to prevent the selection of MDR pathogens.
  • This case underscores the need for susceptibility testing in invasive Salmonella infections and careful consideration of treatment regimens.

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