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Plesiomonas shigelloides--associated diarrhea
Abstract:
Although Plesiomonas shigelloides is considered to be a cause of diarrhea in the Orient, it has infrequently been noted to be associated with diarrhea in Taiwan. Six cases of various extent of diarrhea were found to be associated with P. shigelloides in stool culture in this department between January 1987 and December 1988. Only two of them had history of chronic diarrhea and the others had mild or even no symptom. All six strains of this organism were susceptible to most commonly used antibiotics, but resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, clindamycin, oxacillin, penicillin, and vancomycin. Those which required least minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) were cefazolin, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Our experiences showed that P. shigelloides may cause mild diarrhea in normal hosts. It sometimes is an incidental finding. An oxidase test for this organism should be included as routine culture of the stool specimen, but treatment is not always necessary.
Insights
Plesiomonas shigelloides can cause mild diarrhea in Taiwan, sometimes incidentally. Routine stool cultures should include an oxidase test, but treatment isn't always necessary for this bacterium.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Plesiomonas shigelloides is recognized as a cause of diarrhea in Asia but is infrequently reported in Taiwan.
- This study investigates the association of P. shigelloides with diarrheal illness in Taiwan.
Observation:
- Six cases of P. shigelloides in stool cultures were identified between January 1987 and December 1988.
- Most patients presented with mild or no symptoms of diarrhea.
- The organism demonstrated resistance to several common antibiotics, including ampicillin and penicillin.
Findings:
- P. shigelloides can cause mild diarrhea in otherwise healthy individuals.
- The most effective antibiotics against the isolated strains included cefazolin, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
- The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were lowest for these specific antibiotics.
Implications:
- An oxidase test should be a routine part of stool specimen cultures for diagnosing diarrheal diseases.
- P. shigelloides may be an incidental finding and does not always require antimicrobial treatment.
- This highlights the importance of considering P. shigelloides in the differential diagnosis of diarrhea in Taiwan.