Salmonella Typhi From Blood Cultures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A 10-Year Surveillance

BACKGROUND: This study gives an overview of a decade (2007-2017) of hospital-based Salmonella Typhi bloodstream infection (BSI) surveillance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), at 4 main sampling sites. METHODS: Blood cultures were sampled in hospital-admitted patients with suspected BSI, according to standardized clinical indications. The results of the surveillance period 2015-2017 were compiled with those of previous surveillance periods (2007-2010 and 2011-2014). Whole genome sequencing of isolates with decreased ciprofloxacin susceptibility (DCS) was performed. RESULTS: Salmonella Typhi was isolated in 1.4% (531/37 388) and 10.3% (531/5177) of suspected and culture-confirmed BSI episodes, respectively. Salmonella Typhi ranked first among the BSI pathogens in adults (n = 220), but was mostly (n = 301 [56.7%]) isolated from children, of which 72.1% (217/301) and 31.6% (95/301) were <10 years and