Background Species distribution and antibiotic resistance pattern of Salmonella varies with time and place. Rapid and correct use of antibiotics requires understanding of the distribution and drug resistance patterns. Therefore, we aimed to study the clinical profile of patients along with speciation and antibiogram of Salmonella isolates from blood.

Material and Methods It is an observational study, conducted from December 2019 to December 2021 at our university hospital. Blood cultures were processed by automated blood culture system. Salmonella isolates were identified by their morphological properties, biochemical reaction, and serological tests. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was assessed by Kirby–Bauer's disc diffusion method and Phoenix automated system.

Results The male-to-female ratio of the patients in the study was 2.5:1 and the mean age of the patients was 11.7 years (1–27 years). Salmonella spp. was isolated from 21 patients out of 1,350 positive blood cultures. Nine isolates were identified as S. Typhi seven as S. Choleraesuis three as S. Paratyphi A and two as S. Paratyphi B. Immunocompromised conditions were significantly associated in nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia (p = 0.0253). Isolates showed maximum resistance toward nalidixic acid (100%) followed by fluoroquinolones (52.4%). Multidrug resistance, extreme drug resistance, and azithromycin resistance was seen in 14.3, 4.8, and 4.8% isolates, respectively. Posttreatment recovery was observed in 20 patients.

Conclusion Emergence of S. Choleraesuis among Salmonella spp. in blood stream infection, next only to S. Typhi was noted. Rising drug resistance is a matter of concern.

Ethical approval was obtained from institutional ethics committee (Reference number: PGI/BE/274/ 2020).

Written informed consent for publication of clinical details was obtained from the patients.

The authors declare that the manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors, the requirements for authorship have been met, and that each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work, study is original, and all authors agree on its findings.

Received: 05 March 2023

Accepted: 11 July 2023

Article published online:
07 August 2023

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