ABSTRACT
Introduction: S. Concord in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine the aetiology of febrile and diarrhoeic illness in Ethiopian children focussing on Salmonella.Methodology: Paediatric patients (n = 1;225) presenting with diarrhoea or fever from the paediatric outpatient department of Tikur Anbessa University Hospital; Addis Ababa (n = 825); and Jimma University Hospital; South West Ethiopia (n = 400); were investigated for pathogens from January to August 2006. Results: Parasites were detected in 337 cases; Salmonella in 65; and Shigella in 61. Serotyping of Salmonella (including 48 stored isolates) demonstrated the dominance of S. Concord: S. Concord (85); S. Typhimurium (7); S. Paratyphi B (2); S. Haifa (1); S. Typhi (2); S. Enteritidis (4); S. Butantan (2); S. Infantis (1); S. Pomona (1); Salmonella group M (28:y:-) (1); and S. Oskarshamn (1). Six isolates in serogroups B and D were untypeable. Of 81 S. Concord isolates; 30were invasive; most (86.5) were positive for ESBL production by E-test and 70were multiply resistant to trimethoprim-sulphamethaxole; ceftriaxone; chloramphenicol and gentamicin; of which over one quarter (27) also showed reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin.Conclusion: Multi-drug resistant S. Concord was the major cause of salmonellosis in two regions of Ethiopia. The strain isolated was highly invasive; highly antibiotic-resistant; and represents a threat to heath care globally