Investigation of Salmonellosis during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023)

Abstract

With the Coronavirus disease pandemic in 2020-2023, salmonella distribution has gained great concerted attention since COVID-19 treatment and salmonellosis was conditioned by antibiotics.The present study aimed to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of Salmonellosis (salmonellosis gastroenteritis infection)  in Armenia during the COVID-19 pandemic, between 2020 and 2023, without age restrictions.

The genus Salmonella was identified using biochemical tests and serological methods at Laboratories of Armenia. Near 100 stool samples ere cultured on SS agar and selenite aquatic agar. The study identified 57 infected cases with Salmonella species and the majority of infection was in Yerevan people (n = 37 patients). The oldest patient was 71 years old from the Stepanavan region. Common symptoms included high temperature, diarrhea, restraint, weakness, pus residue in stool, unformed stool, headache, and dizziness. Two children from the same family were infected with Salmonella during the study. The patients were treated with different antibiotics for 3-10 days, with rifampicin, cephalosporins (2nd and 3rd generation), and carbapenems being the most commonly administrated drugs. The antibiotic susceptibility index was determined using the EUCAST documents. After the antibiotic therapy, the patients' health was monitored for a month. Additionally, the study found the Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) enzymes in newborn, 10-year-old, and 33-year-old patients.