Abstract

Typhoid fever continues to remain a health problem as the causative organism,Salmonella enterica serovar typhi, has developed resistance to many antibiotics used. This study was undertaken to determine the current pattern of resistance to antimicrobial agents by S. enterica serovar typhi isolates from Akaraugo Hospital in Owerri, Imo state. Sensitivity to most common antimicrobial agents used in the management of typhoid fever was determined by disc diffusion according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory (NCCL) standards. There was an increase in the number of isolates with decreased sensitivity to nalixidic acid and cotrimoxazole. All isolates had complete resistance to augmentin, tetracycline and amoxicillin commonly used for treatment of typhoid fever. Therefore physicians should be advised to conduct effective susceptibility test before prescribing an antibiotics to a patient. It is also important to step up awareness to individuals about indiscriminate use of antibiotics and the need to complete a regime once it is started.

Key word: Typhoid fever, antibiotic susceptibility, Salmonella enterica serovartyphi.