The bacteria causing typhoid fever is becoming increasingly resistant to some of the most important antibiotics for human health, according to a study published in The Lancet Microbe journal.
Findings of Report on Typhoid
- The antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) bacteria has spread globally nearly 200 times
- Infection and Death
- The researchers noted that typhoid fever is a global public health concern, causing 11 million infections and more than 1,00,000 deaths per year
- Threat of Drug Resistance
- Antibiotics can be used to successfully treat typhoid fever infections, but their effectiveness is threatened by the emergence of resistant S. Typhi strains
- “The speed at which highly resistant strains of S. Typhi have emerged and spread in recent years is a real cause for concern, and highlights the need to urgently expand prevention measures, particularly in countries at greatest risk
- Global Study
- In the new study, the researchers performed whole genome sequencing on 3,489 S. Typhi isolates obtained from blood samples collected between 2014 and 2019
- Samples collected from people in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan with confirmed cases of typhoid fever.
- The authors traced the presence of genes conferring resistance to macrolides and quinolones, which are among the most critically important antibiotics for human health.
- The analysis shows resistant S. Typhi strains have spread between countries at least 197 times since 1990.
- While these strains most often occurred within South Asia and from South Asia to Southeast Asia and Southern Africa, they have also reported in the U.K., the U.S., and Canada
Typhoid
- Cause – infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi
- Affecting Organism – Affect humans only
- Transmission – The faecal-oral mode of transmission for typhoid disease involves ingesting contaminated food or water.
- Symptoms – fever, fatigue or tiredness, malaise (general feeling of unwellness), sore throat, persistent cough, headache.
- Treatment
- Both an oral tablet and a one-time injection are available for the typhoid vaccine:
- Capsule – This live, attenuated vaccination is intended for adults and children older than 6 years old.
- Shot – This is an inactivated vaccine that needs to be received two weeks prior to travel by adults and children over the age of two.
- Effectiveness of Vaccine – The typhoid vaccine is only 50–80% effective.
- How to treat it when affected ? – Treated with antibiotics.
Source- The Hindu