Antibiotyping and genotyping of extensively drug‐resistant (XDR) Salmonella sp. isolated from clinical samples of Lahore, Pakistan

Aims Antibiotic resistance is a major problem in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of XDR Salmonella among local population of Lahore and genotyping of isolates for antibiotic‐resistant genes. Methods and Results A total of 200 blood samples from suspected typhoid fever patients were collected. One hundred and fifty‐seven bacterial samples were confirmed as Salmonella Typhi and 23 samples were confirmed as Salmonella Paratyphi after biochemical, serological and PCR based molecular characterization. Antibiogram analysis classified 121 (67·2%) Salmonella isolates as MDR and 62 isolates (34·4%) as XDR. The predominant resistance gene was ampC with 47·7% prevalence, followed by gyrA, catA1, tet(A), aac (3)‐la, qnrS, blaNDM‐1 and blaCTX‐M‐15 genes in 45·5, 40, 21·6, 18·3, 11·6, 2·2 and 0·5% isolates respectively. Sequence analysis showed the presence of sul1 and dfrA7 gene cassette arrays in 12 class 1 integron integrase positive isolates. Conclusion Large number of clinical XDR S. Typhi‐resistant against third generation cephalosporins have been reported. Significance and Impact of the Study The current study highlights the possible emergence of clinical XDR S. Typhi cases in Lahore, Pakistan. Potential attribution of phenotypic and genotypic XDR cases may help to contribute targeted therapy.