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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella
Published on: February 9, 2024
[Serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance rates of Shigella spp. isolates in Tehran, Iran]
Siavosh Salmanzadeh-Ahrabi1, Siavosh Salmanzdeh-Ahrabi, Fereshteh Jafari
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. salmanzadeh1@yahoo.com
Insights
Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri are common causes of diarrhea in Tehran. High resistance to common antibiotics like tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was observed, with cefixime and nalidixic acid showing lower resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Context:
- Diarrheal diseases pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in urban settings.
- Shigella species are a primary cause of bacterial dysentery worldwide, with varying antimicrobial resistance patterns.
- Understanding local resistance trends is crucial for effective treatment strategies in regions like Tehran.
Purpose:
- To investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns and serotype distribution of Shigella species isolated from diarrheal patients in Tehran.
- To determine the prevalence of different Shigella serotypes, including S. sonnei and S. flexneri.
- To assess the susceptibility of Shigella isolates to various commonly used and newer antibiotics.
Summary:
- A study of 1350 diarrheal patients in Tehran revealed an 11.5% Shigella isolation rate.
- Shigella sonnei (55.1%) and S. flexneri (30.8%) were the predominant serotypes.
- High resistance was noted for tetracycline (98.7%) and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (93.6%), while cefixime (5.1%) and nalidixic acid (2.6%) showed low resistance. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin.
Impact:
- Provides essential data for clinicians in Tehran to guide empirical antibiotic therapy for Shigella infections.
- Highlights the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance programs to combat rising resistance.
- Informs public health policies regarding the control and management of diarrheal diseases caused by Shigella.
Abstract:
In this study, antimicrobial resistance patterns and serotype distributions of Shigella spp. isolated from pediatric and adult patients with diarrhea, inhabiting in Tehran, were investigated. Stool specimens of 1350 patients with diarrhea who were admitted to the seven different hospitals in Tehran from November 2003 till March 2005 were taken into the study. Antibacterial susceptibility patterns of Shigella spp. isolates were determined by standard disk diffusion method. Overall isolation rate of Shigella spp. was found as 11.5 percent. S. sonnei was the most frequent species (55.1%) followed by S. flexneri (30.8%), S. boydii (9.6%) and S. dysenteria (4.5%). Resistance rates to ampicillin (81.4%), trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (93.6%), chloramphenicol (28.2%) and tetracycline (98.7%) were high, whereas low resistance rates to cefixime (5.1%) and nalidixic acid (2.6%) were detected. All isolates were found susceptible to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacine. These data may help physicians for choosing appropriate empirical chemotherapy although subsequent antibacterial susceptibility testing is always recommended.
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