Antibiotic resistant salmonellosis has shown a recent increase, making treatment of patients with Salmonella infections difficult. This study analyzed changes in the species, serogroups, and antimicrobial susceptibility of enteric pathogens isolated from stool specimens during a period of eight years from 2003 to 2010 in a tertiary hospital. In total, 237 pathogens (1.9%) were isolated from 12,289 stool specimens, comprising 50.6% NTS and 49% Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Serogroups D, B, and C Salmonella were isolated most frequently, in that order. Of the Salmonella, 49% of the isolates were ampicillin resistant and this rate for serogroups B, C, and D Salmonella was 56.8, 64.7, and 43.5%, respectively. Overall, the rates of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT), chloramphenicol (CM), and ciprofloxacin resistance were 11.0, 22.0, and 0%, respectively. Two cefotaxime-resistant Salmonella were isolated in 2010. All of the V. parahaemolyticus were susceptible to SXT, CM, and tetracycline. In conclusion, NTS and V. parahaemolyticus were the major enteric pathogens isolated from stool during the eight years examined, and the rate of Salmonella resistance to antimicrobial agents showed a significant increase. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is mandatory for proper treatment of patients with Salmonella spp. infection.

• Kyeong Seob Shin(Department of Laboratory Medicine and BK 21 Chungbuk Biomedical Science Center, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) Corresponding author
• Bo Ra Son(Department of Laboratory Medicine College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University)