Shigellosis is global human health problems, especially in developing countries. During the period between April and December, 2011 and 2012, the epidemiology of shigella was studied among diarrheal children in Tanta, Egypt. The incidence of shigella-associated diarrhea was 6.5%, with S. flexneri being the most common serogroup isolated (59.4%). Shigella-associated diarrhea was more prevalent in warm months and during the second year of life. Common symptoms included vomiting (69.8%), fever (54.2%) and distension (46.9%). Bloody diarrhea, however, occurred in only 14.6% of cases. Multiplex PCR was done for the detection of virulence genes (ipaBCD, set1A, sen, stx, virF and invE). The ipaBCD gene was present in all isolates, while the set gene was present only in 47.4% of S. flexneri isolates and absent in other Shigella species. The stx gene was detected only in 61.5% of S. dysenteriae and absent in other species. High frequency of resistance for shigella isolates was observed to ampicillin (92%), amoxicillin (89%) and cefaclor (90%), while low rate of resistance was noticed to colistin (18%) and gentamicin (9%). Imipenem showed the highest activity where all tested isolates were sensitive to this drug.
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