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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57187/4615

Original article

Vol. 156 No. 10 (2026)

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in Switzerland 2007–2022: a retrospective observational study

Cite this as:
Swiss Med Wkly. 2026;156:4615
Published
30.10.2026

Summary

BACKGROUND: In Switzerland, acute infectious diarrhoea is frequently caused by Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. The rise of antimicrobial resistance complicates treatment and underscores requirements for continuous surveillance. We aimed to analyse the development of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. isolated from human samples in Switzerland over time.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational analysis using the ANRESIS database, covering the period from January 2007 to December 2022. The study included 47,498 Campylobacter spp. isolates and 5964 Salmonella enterica isolates. Antimicrobial resistance was categorised according to CLSI or EUCAST. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to explore resistance over time, focusing on pathogens and invasive versus non-invasive isolates.

RESULTS: The majority of Campylobacter isolates were Campylobacter jejuni (80.4%) and Campylobacter coli (7%). Resistance to ciprofloxacin in Campylobacter jejuni increased from 38% in 2007 to 81% in 2022. Resistance to doxycycline and tetracycline also rose sharply between 2012 and 2014, reaching approximately 37% by 2022. Resistance to macrolides remained consistently low (<1%) throughout the study period. Campylobacter coli exhibited higher resistance levels compared to Campylobacter jejuni, with notable increases in resistance to ciprofloxacin (73%) and macrolides (approximately 15%) by 2022.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella accounted for 95.4% of all Salmonella isolates, with serovars Enteritidis (32%) and Typhimurium (15%) being most prevalent. Resistance to ciprofloxacin/norfloxacin was observed in about 10% of isolates, with an increase noted around 2013–2014. High resistance levels were found for amoxicillin/ampicillin (23%) and gentamicin (70%), while resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems remained low (<1%). A decline in nitrofurantoin resistance was also observed over time.

CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in Switzerland emphasises the critical need for ongoing surveillance and judicious antibiotic use.

 

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