gyrA mutation associated with Nalidixic Acid resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strains in Malaysia

Abstract

Typhoid fever is endemic in Malaysia. Treatment of this invasive disease requires effective antimicrobial therapy in order to reduce mortality. The emergence of multidrug resistant strains (resistance to first-line antibiotics-ampicillin, chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole), necessitates the use of alternative drugs such as fluoroquinolones and third generation cephalosporins. The fluoroquinolones are widely regarded as optimal for the treatment of typhoid fever in adults as they are relatively inexpensive and well-tolerated (Bethell et al., 199628); Wain et al., 199724).