Abstract
BackgroundShigellosis is an acute invasive enteric infection caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Shigella; it is clinically manifested by bloody diarrhoea. Shigellosis is endemic in many developing countries including Cameroon and also occurs in epidemics causing considerable morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the epidemiological and clinical features of Shigella and the resistance pattern of isolates to commonly used antibiotics in the Buea Health District in Cameroon, from April to August, 2010.ResultsOf the 223 stool samples cultured, 10 (4.5%) yielded Shigella species. Isolation rate was observed to be more in children below 15 years (7.89%), and also higher in rural areas (6.35%). All 10 isolates showed resistance to at least two antibiotics and 9 (90%) were multi-drug resistant. The highest resistance rates were encountered with cotrimoxazole (90%) and amoxicillin (80%). Least resistance was observed with azithromycin (10%).ConclusionShigellosis is more prevalent in children below 15 years in the Buea District. There is a high level of resistance to most of the antibiotics used for the treatment of shigellosis including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) as well as evidence of resistance to quinolones. Azithromycin was found to be the drug of choice for shigellosis in this setting.
Highlights
Shigellosis is an acute invasive enteric infection caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Shigella; it is clinically manifested by bloody diarrhoea
The purpose of the present study was to determine the epidemiologic profiles of Shigella and their antimicrobial resistance patterns in the Buea Health District, in the South West Region of Cameroon
Diarrhoea account for about 16% of all causes of mortality in children [11], because they are at an immature age, and they are in frequent exposure to contaminated environment due to play-related activities and are not being drilled on the importance of hand-washing after defecation and before eating
Summary
Shigellosis is an acute invasive enteric infection caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Shigella; it is clinically manifested by bloody diarrhoea. Shigellosis is endemic in many developing countries including Cameroon and occurs in epidemics causing considerable morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the epidemiological and clinical features of Shigella and the resistance pattern of isolates to commonly used antibiotics in the Buea Health District in Cameroon, from April to August, 2010. Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) is a global health problem, especially in developing countries, where substandard hygienic conditions and unsafe water supplies prevail [1]. Among the bacterial causes of dysentery, Shigella species continue to be the most important, with a high infectivity rate and the development of antimicrobial resistance.
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