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Page No. : 27-33

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was carried for estimation of prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella among the childhood diarrhoeal cases with their correlation with possible environmental sources. A total of 62 samples comprising 51 stools among the childhood diarrhoeal cases in and around Nagpur along with 11 drinking water samples from patient’s home were processed for isolation of Salmonella and Shigella by selective plating. Of the total samples screened, five and seven samples were found culturally positive for Salmonella and Shigella respectively from diarrheic stool samples of children, while none of the drinking water samples were reported positive for both pathogens. Revalidation by PCR showed genus and virulence specificity among five and six Salmonella and Shigella isolates respectively; whereas, direct detection of DNA from the stool samples employing commercial kit showed presence of eight and 12 Salmonella and Shigella spp. respectively. Further all the isolates of Salmonella and Shigella reported positive for pathogenicity and presence of invA and ipaH genes, respectively suggesting their high virulent nature. Antibiogram study of all fi ve Salmonella isolates revealed highest degree of resistance against ampicillin (80%) and trimethoprim (60%) and cent-per cent sensitivity was observed for gentamicin. Similarly, antibiogram study of all seven Shigella isolates using 12 antibiotics revealed highest degree of resistance against ampicillin and trimethoprim (71.43% each), whereas highest degree of sensitivity was observed for ciprofloxacin (71.43%). Thus overall observation of pathogenic five Salmonella and seven Shigella isolates with multidrug resistant nature is important finding from public health point of view.

Keyword: Antibiogram, children diarrhoea, Salmonella, Shigella, water