Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Salmonella Typhi Isolates from Drinking Water of Peshawar
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Abstract
Background: Contamination of drinking water with pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella Typhi is a major public health concern, indicative of poor sanitation and the threat of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of S. Typhi in drinking water sources of Peshawar and to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of these isolates.
Objective: To phenotypically detect and identify S. Typhi from drinking water sources in Peshawar, determine antibiotic resistance patterns, and examine changes in these patterns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, collecting fifty untreated drinking water samples over six months. Standard biochemical tests and the Analytic Profile Index (API) were utilized for bacterial identification, while the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was employed to ascertain antibiotic resistance.
Results: Salmonella Typhi was present in 33 of the 50 water samples, yielding a prevalence rate of 66.66%. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed a high level of resistance to commonly used antibiotics, with 100% resistance to Azithromycin, 97.5% to Ceftriaxone, and 95% to both Ampicillin and Ciprofloxacin. The comparison of antibiotic resistance patterns before and after the COVID-19 pandemic indicated a significant increase in resistance, with mean resistance rates jumping from 22.85% to 94.68% (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The drinking water of Peshawar is significantly contaminated with S. Typhi, which exhibits a high degree of antibiotic resistance, aggravated post the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved water sanitation measures, vigilant antibiotic stewardship, and comprehensive public health strategies to mitigate the risks posed by waterborne pathogens and antibiotic resistance.
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