First-line antibiotics in the treatment of typhoid fever in children at hospital in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the susceptibility profile of Salmonella to antibiotics and draw the therapeutic implications in the typhoid fever in children.

Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the records of children hospitalized for typhoid fever in the unity of Infectious Diseases at Charles de Gaulle Pediatric University Hospital in Ouagadougou between January 2006 and December 2010.

Results: The incidence of typhoid fever in the unit was 18.7 %. The boy / girl ratio was 1.8. The mean age was 7.5 years (± 7 years). Four serotypes of Salmonella were observed: S typhi (64 %), S paratyphi  (19 %), S paratyphi B (13 %) and paratyphi  C (4 %). The antibiogram showed very good sensitivity of 100 % of all isolates to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. In contrast, 73 % of strains were resistant to chlo­ ramphenicol, ampicillin 81 %, 89.5 % to amoxicillin and cotrimoxazole 87 %.

Conclusion: Ceftriaxone substituted by ciprofloxacin in case of clinical failure should remain the first weapon in the treatment of typhoid fever in children.