Emergence of azithromycin and third-generation cephalosporins resistant Shigella isolated from Iranian children

Abstract

BackgroundShigellosis is still considered a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children. The aims of this study were to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance mechanism to first line drug such as cephalosporin, azithromycin and prevalence of class 1 and 2 integrons. MethodsWe collected 89 Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei from four cities in Iran (Tabriz, Kerman, Urmia and Ardabil). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by disk diffusion and agar dilution methods. Also, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) genes of integrons were characterized by PCR. ResultsWe were recovered 56 S. flexneri and 33 S. sonnei isolates. Of the 89 isolates, 60 (67.4%) were positive for ESBLs gene and 16 isolates were resistant to azithromycin. Additionally, 71.24% of S. flexneri and S. sonnei strains were harbored class 1 integrons, also 95.82% of theses strains carry off class 2 integrons, respectively. ConclusionsOur findings showed that due to the numerous mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents for the treatment of shigellosis in children is limited and difficult.