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[Dysentery in Poland in 2003]

Hanna Stypułkowska-Misiurewicz1

  • 1Krajowy Ośrodek Shigella, Państwowy Zakład Higieny, ul. Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warszawa.

Przeglad Epidemiologiczny
|September 30, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Dysentery cases reached a record low, with no deaths reported. However, a single outbreak highlighted the need for consistent laboratory quality control in detecting Shigella infections.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • The incidence of dysentery has significantly declined, reaching its lowest point this century.
  • No dysentery-related deaths were reported in 2003, with the last recorded deaths in 1999.
  • A notable outbreak occurred in a social home, involving 23 individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the epidemiology of dysentery cases in 2003.
  • To investigate the etiology of dysentery, including causative Shigella species.
  • To assess the quality of laboratory procedures for Shigella detection.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of notified dysentery cases and incidence rates.
  • Bacteriological examination of stool samples to identify Shigella species.
  • External quality control testing of 37 laboratories using a control strain (Shigella boydii 6).

Main Results:

  • Dysentery incidence was 0.20/100,000 population in 2003 (75 cases), down from 0.58/100,000 in 2002 (220 cases).
  • The 2003 etiology comprised 52% Shigella sonnei, 46% Shigella flexneri, and 2% Shigella dysenteriae 2; Shigella boydii was not detected.
  • External quality control revealed significant issues, with nearly all laboratories failing to grow the control strain after enrichment.

Conclusions:

  • Despite the low overall incidence, dysentery remains a concern, as evidenced by the outbreak.
  • Laboratory diagnostic procedures for Shigella require improvement and consistent quality control.
  • Regular external quality assessment is crucial, especially during periods of low infection frequency.

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