Acute Diarrhea Syndrome From Campylobacter Spp. In Patients Under Age 11 Years And Resistance To Drugs Of Choice In Paraguay, 2010-2012

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in patient under age 11 years with acute diarrhea syndrome and determine microbial resistance to the drugs of choice for treatment in Paraguay, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study with a non -probabilistic sample of 1110 consecutive cases and a confidence level of 95%. The population studied were pediatric patients under age 11 years whose fecal samples were forwarded by institutions belonging to the enteric pathogens network to the Laboratorio Central de Saluct Pthblica (public health central laboratory) from 2010 to 2012. Results: Of the 1110 fecal samples Campylobacter spp. were isolated in 176 cases, for a prevalence of 16%. Resistance to quinolones was found in 49% of these, resistance to tetracycline in 28%, and resistance to macrolides (erythromycin) in 1%. Conclusion: A significant prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was found to be the etiological agent for acute diarrhea syndrome and including cultures for this pathogen in analysis of fecal samples should be routine. The resistance found to the drugs of choice for treatment implies a need for better attention to the issue of indiscriminate use of antibiotics.