Fluoroquinolone and macrolide co-resistance in clinical isolates of Campylobacter species: a 15-year study in Karachi, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Fluoroquinolone and macrolide antibiotics are generally considered as first-line drugs for the treatment of severe campylobacteriosis. This study was conducted to analyse the trend of erythromycin and ofloxacin resistance among Campyiobacter spp. isolated from stool specimens over a period of 15 years [1992-2007] at The Aga Khan University clinical laboratory in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 83 396 stool specimens were processed, with a 14% isolation rate for enteric pathogens. The isolation rate of Campylobacter spp. was low during 1992-93 [6%-13%], peaked in 1996 [46%], then ranged from 20% to 40%. We report a rising trend in ofloxacin resistance, re-emergence of erythromycin resistance and indications of co-resistance to both drugs in clinical isolates of Campylobocter spp.