Abstract

Diarrheal infections are an important public health problem worldwide but there is limited information on the molecular characteristics of responsible agents in Burkina Faso, especially in the countryside. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Salmonella enterica in diarrheal children in rural areas. Stool specimens were collected from 400 diarrheal children under five years of age between July 2009 and June 2010. Salmonella spp. was investigated by using conventional culture techniques and susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents was determined by the disc diffusion method. Twenty four (6%) Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica strains (14 different serotypes) were isolated: S. Typhimurium (in 9 patients), S. Poona (2), S. Virchow (2), and S. Kiambou, S. Rubislaw, S. Muenster, S. Gaminara, S. Tounouma, S. Cubana, S. Fresno, S. Montevideo, S. Duisburg, S. Hvittingfoss and S. Ouakam (in 1 patient each). Eight (8) S. Typhimurium were multiresistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides and trimethoprim. All the other Salmonella serotypes were sensitive to all antimicrobials tested. This study highlights the serotypes of Salmonella circulating in rural Burkina Faso. Therefore, constant monitoring for Salmonella infection and antibiotic resistance is needed in the control of this pathogen.

Key words: Salmonella serotypes, antimicrobial susceptibility, children, Burkina Faso.