Trends in Antibiotic Resistance Among Diarrheal Pathogens Isolated in Thailand Over 15 Years

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance trends were examined for Shigella species, nontyphoidal Salmonella species, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and Campylobacter species isolates from indigenous persons and travelers in Thailand for up to 15 years. Resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was found in ú90% of Shigella and 40% of ETEC and nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates. Resistance to nalidixic acid was found in 97% -100% of Shigella dysenteriae 1 strains isolated between 1992 and 1995. Ciprofloxacin resistance was detected in 1% of ETEC isolates in 1994 and 1995 and in one of 349 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates in 1995. Ciprofloxacin resistance among Campylobacter species increased from zero before 1991 to 84% in 1995 (P õ .0001). Azithromycin resistance was found in 7% -15% of Campylobacter isolates in 1994 and 1995, as well as 15% of ETEC and 3% of Salmonella isolates in 1995. Enteric pathogens in Thailand have developed resistance to virtually all antibiotics routinely used in the treatment of diarrhea, as well as the newer fluoroquinolone and macrolide classes of drugs.

Susceptibilities to Antimicrobials and Disinfectants in Salmonella Isolates Obtained from Poultry and Swine in Thailand

“…However, the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance from this study was slightly higher in comparison to the earlier study in farm sectors, where no resistance to the agent was found [20]. The differences may be associated with differences in laboratory techniques or this may be a reflection of the emergence of ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella in Thailand, as observed in other enteropathogenic bacteria [11,12]. Moreover, the higher prevalence of antibiotic resistance in swine observed may be due to the longer length of the raising period on farms that allows longer exposure to antibiotics.…”

Isolation of Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis resistant to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin

“…Antimicrobial resistance among nontyphoid Salmonella serotypes has been a serious problem worldwide (35,41,81,117,124,137,140). Conventional antimicrobial agents, such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, had been the drugs of choice in the treatment of salmonellosis before the 1980s.…”

Livestock Production and Foodborne Diseases from Food Animals in Thailand

“…It has been suggested that the increase of foodborne disease, particularly in industrialized countries, may be the result of changes in the livestock industry as well as changes in consumer lifestyle or eating habits, an increase in traveling, greater virulence of pathogens, changing population demography, and improved diagnostic capacity [6,[20][21][22]. The higher incidence of foodborne disease in Thailand is probably the result of a combination of these factors; however, there is not enough information regarding the impact of each of them in order to understand their individual significance and allow measures to be taken to reduce the number of cases.…”

“…An additional issue of concern in foodborne bacterial infections is antimicrobial resistance [21,22]. One study in Vietnam and Thailand [23] reported a higher proportion of Salmonella isolated in Thailand with resistance to antimicrobial agents used for treatment of gastrointestinal infection, with 28% and 59% of isolates resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline, respectively.…”