Clinical features and drug resistance analysis of non-typhoidal Salmonella infection in children

Guolin Rao; Changqiang Yang; Xuemei Zhao; Hongcai He; Chen Xiong; Ziyang Kuang; Liqun Lu; Yue Song

doi:10.3855/jidc.22215

Clinical features and drug resistance analysis of non-typhoidal Salmonella infection in children

Authors

Guolin Rao Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan Province, China
Changqiang Yang Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan, China
Xuemei Zhao Department of Pediatrics, Xindu District People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Hongcai He Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan Province, China
Chen Xiong Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan Province, China
Ziyang Kuang Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan Province, China
Liqun Lu Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan Province, China
Yue Song Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan Province, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22215

Keywords:

Salmonella, non-typhoidal, manifestation, drug resistance, children

Abstract

Introduction: There is limited information on non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections among children in China. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical features, strain serotypes, and drug resistance patterns of NTS infection in children.

Methodology: A retrospective study of children with NTS admitted to three tertiary hospitals between January 2015 and December 2024 was conducted. The clinical features and drug resistance were compared among the patients.

Results: Out of a total of 131 patients, 94 cases (71.76%) visited the hospital between June and September, and 82 cases (62.60%) were aged 6 months to 2 years. The main clinical manifestations were fever and diarrhea, with 94 cases (71.76%) presenting high fever (> 39 ℃) and 129 cases (98.50%) experiencing diarrhea. Stool consistency was predominantly loose paste or watery. Regarding serotypes, Salmonella Typhimurium was the most common (96 cases, 73.28%), while Salmonella Dublin ranked second (12 cases, 9.16%). The study revealed an increasing resistance rate to ceftriaxone. High resistance rates (> 80%) were observed for ampicillin, cefazolin, and gentamicin; whereas high sensitivity (> 90%) was noted for ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam, and carbapenems. The rate of sensitivity to ceftazidime was linearly correlated with age (p = 0.03).

Conclusions: NTS predominantly occurred in summer and autumn among children aged 6 months to 2 years. The clinical features were primarily fever and diarrhea. Given the rising resistance to ceftriaxone, ceftazidime may be prioritized for empirical treatment.

Downloads

Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Rao G, Yang C, Zhao X, He H, Xiong C, Kuang Z, Lu L, Song Y (2026) Clinical features and drug resistance analysis of non-typhoidal Salmonella infection in children. J Infect Dev Ctries 20:1308–1314. doi: 10.3855/jidc.22215

Download Citation

Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 09: September 2026

Section

Original Articles

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).