Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of campylobacter and salmonella species in patients with acute gastroenteritis

Objective: Altough there are many microogranisms that might be the agents of gastroenteritis, routine laboratory tests can not determine all of them with our current techniques. This situation leads to failure of empirical treatment and to economical losses due to incorrect usage of antibiotics. In this study, we aim to investigate prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter and Salmonella from patients with acute gastroenteritis. Methods: Between 1 June 2015 and 31 May 2016, stool samples were inoculated on Campylosel agar (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) and GN enrichment broth (Merck, Darmstad, Germany). Campylosel agar incubated at 42°C for 48-72 hours in microaerophilic atmosphere. After 6-8 hours incubation at 37°C, GN enrichment broth was subcultured to EMB agar (Merck, Darmstad, Germany) and Hektoen enteric agar (Merck, Darmstad, Germany). In addition to conventional tests, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spec-trometry confirmed the identification of Campylobacter-or Salmonella-suspected colonies. Antibiotic suscebtibility testing of Campylobacter species was carried out with gradient test (Etest®, bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France), and results were evaluated according to EUCAST criteria. Results: Pathogenic microorganisms were isolated in 67 (17.7%) of 379 stool cultures. 42 (62.7%) of them were identified as Campylobacter and 25 (37.3%) of them were identified as Salmonella. Of 42 Campylobacter strains, 41 were identified as C. jejuni, and one was identified as C. coli. 40 (95.2%) of Campylobacter strains were susceptible to erythromycin, 28 (66.7%) were susceptible to tetracycline, and 16 (38.1%) were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: Campylobacter species were the most commonly isolated bacteria as a causative agent of gastroenteritis and according to the antibiotic susceptibility test results erythromycin treatment is recommended for the patients.