Evaluation of the distribution and antibiotic resistance rates of Shigella isolates from stool samples: 5-year data

Abstract

AIM: The study aims to evaluate the distribution of serotypes of Shigella species isolated from stool samples in our hospital and to assess the resistance rates to various antibiotics over the past five years. BACKGROUND: Shigella species are one of the main causes of diarrhea, especially in children, and can cause serious health problems globally. People most commonly become ill through the consumption of contaminated food or water or by coming into contact with an infected person or someone who has recently been infected with Shigella. CDC issued a warning about an observed increase in the number of drug-resistant Shigella cases. METHODS: The study included 50 Shigella spp. isolated from stool cultures sent to laboratory of Ankara University Cebeci Health Practice and Research Hospital between 2019-2024. Isolates were identified using conventional microbiological methods or automated systems [Vitek-2 (bioMérieux, France) and MALDI-TOF MS Bruker Biotyper (BD, Germany)]. Species-level identification was performed using serogroup-specific antisera. EUCAST criteria were used for the application and evaluation of the antibiotic susceptibility. Patient information was obtained from the hospital information system. RESULTS: A total of 50 isolates were evaluated: 32 (64%) were Shigella sonnei, 16 (32%) were Shigella flexneri and 2 (4%) were Shigella boydii. Among the patients, 23 (46%) were male and 27 (54%) were female. Forty-one (82%) of the patients were under the age of 18. The antimicrobial resistance rates are shown in Table. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing antibiotic resistance rates pose a significant risk to our country, as they do worldwide. Preventing fecal-oral transmission is the most effective control strategy.

Keywords

• shigella sonnei
• shigella flexneri
• antimicrobial resistance,