Latest news with #SalmonellaTyphi
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Super typhoid threat looms: experts raise alarm
A concerning rise in super typhoid cases is being reported across the metropolis, with medical experts attributing the surge to widespread misuse of antibiotics, which has weakened people's immune systems and led to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. According to physicians, oral medications are now ineffective against this strain, and treatment depends solely on specific antibiotics administered intravenously. General physician at Jinnah Hospital Karachi Dr Faisal Javed shared these insights during a conversation with The Express Tribune. He revealed that the number of super typhoid cases is steadily increasing, and the extensively drug-resistant (XDR) variant exhibits a dangerously high resistance to commonly used antibiotics. He warned that case numbers are expected to rise further after Eidul Azha. Typhoid is caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium, which spreads through contaminated water, unhygienic utensils, and substandard food - conditions prevalent in areas with poor sanitation infrastructure. "In Pakistan, the rampant and incorrect use of antibiotics has led to the development of XDR or 'super typhoid,' a strain that no longer responds to most standard medications," Dr Faisal said. "Only specific and often expensive IV antibiotics are proving effective." He expressed concern over the role of unqualified practitioners and under-equipped laboratories, which frequently prescribe medications based on unreliable tests like "Typhi Dot" or stool analysis. These tests can yield false positives, particularly if a patient has previously been exposed to the bacteria, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. According to Dr Faisal, a blood culture test is the only reliable method for diagnosing super typhoid. Although it takes about seven days to deliver results, it remains the most accurate way to determine effective treatment. Symptoms of typhoid include high fever, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, gas, and body aches. The XDR strain tends to cause more severe symptoms. If left untreated, the bacteria can impact vital organs including the liver, brain, stomach, and bone marrow - posing a serious threat to life. In some cases, patients may deteriorate before accurate diagnosis is possible, making recovery more difficult. Dr Faisal recommended that patients eat easily digestible foods like Khichdi (a soft mixture of rice and lentils), yogurt, boiled vegetables, and fruits to help the body heal. He also urged the government and food safety authorities to enforce stricter hygiene standards among restaurants and street vendors, many of whom use contaminated water to wash utensils, aiding in the spread of the disease. Public awareness campaigns should emphasise handwashing before meals and after using the toilet as essential preventive measures.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
SEFI study finds drug-resistant typhoid strain in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: Typhoid, once seemingly under control, may now be resistant to key antibiotics in Gujarat. A new surveillance study spanning eight major Indian cities spotlighted Ahmedabad as ground zero for antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Typhi (S Typhi) — the bacteria that causes typhoid. The study revealed that in Ahmedabad, these bacteria resist not just ceftriaxone, a critical antibiotic but several frontline drugs, leaving doctors with fewer options. Conducted by the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in India (SEFI) network from 2021 to 2024, the study was published on April 21, 2025, in Nature's Scientific Reports, flagged Ahmedabad as a hotspot in Western India for this new strain. "We identified 18 S Typhi isolates from Ahmedabad that were resistant to ceftriaxone, indicating a larger emergence of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant S Typhi in Western India with a novel plasmid profile," states the had collected the samples from Ahmedabad between June 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023. These 18 isolates didn't just resist ceftriaxone, they also stood their ground against ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and the combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Fortunately, they remained vulnerable to azithromycin and the older antibiotic chloramphenicol, stated the research experts warn this is no reassurance. Experts feel there is an urgent need to update treatment guidelines and intensify monitoring efforts participating centres included AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College Ludhiana, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya Delhi, Christian Medical College Vellore, St John's Medical College Bengaluru, and institutions in Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. "While sporadic ceftriaxone resistance has been documented in the past across North, South, East India and Mumbai, this Ahmedabad cluster is the largest coherent group so far, with its distinct genetic profile indicating local evolution rather than isolated anomalies," the study the study period, a total of 2,70,228 blood and bone marrow cultures were performed across the participating of the drug-resistant S Typhi from Ahmedabad showed they belonged to the H58 lineage, specifically subtype 4.3.1.2.2, known for antibiotic resistance. These bacteria carried multiple resistance genes, including those for cephalosporins (like ceftriaxone), fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, and these resistance genes were found on a single plasmid called IncFIB(K). Plasmids are small DNA structures that can easily transfer between bacteria, allowing rapid spread of resistance. Notably, these bacteria also carried two other plasmids (IncFIB(pHCM2) and IncX1) that did not contain resistance genes. The presence of all three plasmids together in these bacteria is a new finding, according to the study.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Typhoid survey launched to assess need for vaccine
Chennai: The Directorate of Public Health, along with WHO, has initiated a lab-based sentinel survey to determine the prevalence of typhoid in the city. The results will help the authorities decide whether interventions, such as vaccines, are required. Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, spreads through contaminated food and water, with symptoms such as prolonged fever, fatigue, and abdominal issues. "The estimated incidence of typhoid is 1,000 out of every one lakh people in urban areas like Chennai. Studies have suggested it could be higher, up to 1,200 or 1,500. This could be an underestimate because not many doctors do the gold standard tests to confirm the diagnosis. Even when it is done, not all cases are notified by hospitals and labs," said director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayagam. "The survey will give us the estimate and help in making policy decisions about the need for a vaccine." You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai On Tuesday, the DPH organised a workshop to roll out the lab-based sentinel survey in which three govt hospitals and three private hospitals will send samples to the public health department for the survey. Blood samples of children aged between five months and 15 days, with more than three days of fever and no respiratory complaints, will be sent to the state public health laboratory. While doctors will continue to test and treat patients for the disease, additional samples will be sent to the state lab, he said. The labs will collect samples and test them for a year from the second week of May, he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Newmarket: Born Between 1940-1975 You May Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo In densely populated cities, the quality and safety of various water sources are crucial in disease transmission. Residents rely on various sources, including piped Metrowater supply, wells and borewells, private water tankers, and packaged water. Contamination occurs at various points, said Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital medical director Dr Janani Shankar. "Sometimes it's the contamination in the water purifiers that causes the disease." The survey will be part of the multi-state study conducted at 18 sites by Union health ministry. A typhoid surveillance group constituted by the Union ministry planned a city-based lab-supported sentinel surveillance with support from WHO to explore the strategy for the introduction of the typhoid vaccine. In Tamil Nadu, Chennai (State public health laboratory) and Vellore (CMC) have been selected to carry out the survey.
Daily Record
24-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Warning issued as deadly Victorian disease becoming antibiotic resistant
A stark warning has been issued after a deadly disease which crumbled ancient civilizations is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, it is reported. Typhoid fever still poses a significant threat in some countries, and is highly contagious so can spread to new parts of the world. More than 110,000 die from the disease every year, notably across Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Eastern Europe, where sanitation and water quality are poor. But worryingly experts claim it is becoming antibiotic resistant posing a threat to people across the world, reports the Mirror . An international team of researchers recently wrote in the journal Scientific Data: "Despite advances in vaccination and treatment strategies, typhoid fever continues to affect millions annually, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality, and there continue to be large-scale outbreaks." Around nine million become ill from typhoid fever every year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) understands. That is despite the misconception typhoid fever was merely a Victorian disease - although in this era, it did pose a significant threat. No section of society was spared – Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, contracted typhoid and died from it in 1861. In the US alone, there are now typically around 5,700 illnesses and 620 hospitalisations from typhoid each year. Most cases are linked to international travel, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Here, the NHS warns on its website the bacterial infection can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs, and there hundreds of confirmed infections each year. The website adds: "Most of these people become infected while visiting relatives in Bangladesh , India or Pakistan. But you're also at risk if you visit Asia, Africa or South America." The bacteria that cause typhoid fever, Salmonella Typhi, are developing resistance to antibiotics through genetic mutations, allowing them to survive even when exposed to drugs that would normally kill them. Researchers have examined strains in recent years to be able to confirm this. Jehan Zeb Khan, the clinical pharmacist at a clinic in northern Pakistan, told The Guardian: "Typhoid was once treatable with a set of pills and now ends up with patients in hospital." Once the bacteria enter the body, they typically cause a high fever, fatigue and stomach cramps within one to three weeks. Prompt antibiotic treatment is crucial to prevent severe complications, like intestinal hemorrhage, organ failure and sepsis, and death. Students at University of Wisconsin–Madison were warned about the potential exposure to Salmonella Typhi in February after a campus café worker was diagnosed with typhoid. The warning comes after worrying new data released last month showed Tuberculosis (TB) "remains a serious public health issue in England." Experts said the " reemergence , re-establishment, and resurgence" of several illnesses was down to the return of social mixing and international travel following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Typhoid fever: Deadly Victorian disease becoming antibiotic resistant as dire warning issued
Typhoid fever is a particularly unpleasant bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body and, according to the NHS, the highly contagious disease be can be fatal A deadly disease which toppled ancient civilizations is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, it is reported. Typhoid fever still poses a significant threat in some countries, and is highly contagious so can spread to new parts of the world. More than 110,000 die from the disease every year, notably across Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Eastern Europe, where sanitation and water quality are poor. But as it is becoming antibiotic resistant, experts have issued a dire warning. An international team of researchers recently wrote in the journal Scientific Data: "Despite advances in vaccination and treatment strategies, typhoid fever continues to affect millions annually, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality, and there continue to be large-scale outbreaks." Around nine million become ill from typhoid fever every year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) understands. That is despite the misconception typhoid fever was merely a Victorian disease - although in this era, it did pose a significant threat. No section of society was spared – Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, contracted typhoid and died from it in 1861. Yet, in the US alone, there are now typically around 5,700 illnesses and 620 hospitalisations from typhoid each year. Most cases are linked to international travel, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Here, the NHS warns on its website the bacterial infection can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs, and there hundreds of confirmed infections each year. The website adds: "Most of these people become infected while visiting relatives in Bangladesh, India or Pakistan. But you're also at risk if you visit Asia, Africa or South America." The bacteria that cause typhoid fever, Salmonella Typhi, are developing resistance to antibiotics through genetic mutations, allowing them to survive even when exposed to drugs that would normally kill them. Researchers have examined strains in recent years to be able to confirm this. Jehan Zeb Khan, the clinical pharmacist at a clinic in northern Pakistan, told The Guardian: "Typhoid was once treatable with a set of pills and now ends up with patients in hospital." Once the bacteria enter the body, they typically cause a high fever, fatigue and stomach cramps within one to three weeks. Prompt antibiotic treatment is crucial to prevent severe complications, like intestinal hemorrhage, organ failure and sepsis, and death. Students at University of Wisconsin–Madison were warned about the potential exposure to Salmonella Typhi in February after a campus café worker was diagnosed with typhoid. The warning comes after worrying new data released last month showed Tuberculosis (TB) "remains a serious public health issue in England." Experts said the "reemergence, re-establishment, and resurgence" of several illnesses was down to the return of social mixing and international travel following the COVID-19 pandemic.
