Prevalence and Antimicrobial Profiles of Shigella
Prevalence of Shigella Species and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Patients Visiting Kenyatta University Health Unit Authors: Anthony Kebira Nyamache1 and Collins Otieno Ogari1 Collins Ogari1 Email: Collins58@yahoo.com Corresponding author Dr. Anthony Kebira Nyamache akibera2000@yahoo.com or akibera2000@gmail.com 1 Department of Microbiology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844 (00100), Nairobi, Kenya.
Abstract Background: Shigellosis is a major public health problem and increasing antimicrobial resistance has complicated its treatment. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Shigella species and their antimicrobial resistance patterns among patients visiting Kenyatta University health unit, Nairobi Kenya, during May-August 2011. Findings: Of the 102 stool samples cultured, 16 (15.7%) yielded Shigella species; S. boydii 12 (75%), S. sonnei 3 (19%) and S. flexneri 1 (6%). All the 16 isolates showed resistance to at least two antibiotics and …were multi-drug resistance. The highest resistance rates were encountered with Ampicillin 16 (100%), Sulphamethaxazole 15 (93%) and Cotrimoxazole12 (75%) while those susceptible were Gentamycin 16(100%) and Chloramphenicol 12 (75%). Conclusions: There is a high level of resistance to most of the antibiotics used for treatment of shigellosis. Gentamycin was found to be the drug of choice in this setting with a need for consistent drug resistance surveillance. .
Key Words: Shigella, Antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance, Kenya.
Background Shigella is one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis and death of 3-5 millions of children under the age of 5 years in developing countries, where sub-standards hygienic conditions and unsafe water supplies prevail [1,2]. Infection by Shigella species can lead to illness ranging from mild, self-limited diarrhoea to severe dysentery with frequent passage of blood and mucus, high fever, cramps, tenesmus, and in rare
Abstract Background: Shigellosis is a major public health problem and increasing antimicrobial resistance has complicated its treatment. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Shigella species and their antimicrobial resistance patterns among patients visiting Kenyatta University health unit, Nairobi Kenya, during May-August 2011. Findings: Of the 102 stool samples cultured, 16 (15.7%) yielded Shigella species; S. boydii 12 (75%), S. sonnei 3 (19%) and S. flexneri 1 (6%). All the 16 isolates showed resistance to at least two antibiotics and …were multi-drug resistance. The highest resistance rates were encountered with Ampicillin 16 (100%), Sulphamethaxazole 15 (93%) and Cotrimoxazole12 (75%) while those susceptible were Gentamycin 16(100%) and Chloramphenicol 12 (75%). Conclusions: There is a high level of resistance to most of the antibiotics used for treatment of shigellosis. Gentamycin was found to be the drug of choice in this setting with a need for consistent drug resistance surveillance. .
Key Words: Shigella, Antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance, Kenya.
Background Shigella is one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis and death of 3-5 millions of children under the age of 5 years in developing countries, where sub-standards hygienic conditions and unsafe water supplies prevail [1,2]. Infection by Shigella species can lead to illness ranging from mild, self-limited diarrhoea to severe dysentery with frequent passage of blood and mucus, high fever, cramps, tenesmus, and in rare