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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
04:56
Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella
Published on: February 9, 2024
Death from multi-resistant shigelloses: a case study from Fiji.
1Fiji Scool of Medicine, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji. chris_w@fsm.ac.fj
Pacific Health Dialog
|January 10, 2008
Summary
Emerging multi-drug resistance in Shigella poses a challenge for Fiji. Shigella flexneri remains sensitive to specific antibiotics, but treatment options are limited and costly.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Shigellosis is a significant cause of mortality in developing nations, though rare in developed countries.
- In Fiji, Shigella is a notifiable disease with increasing case numbers reported between 1996 and 1998.
- Emerging multi-drug resistance (MDR) presents a growing concern for Shigellosis management globally and in Fiji.
Observation:
- A high prevalence of chloramphenicol resistance (82%) was observed in Shigella cases in Fiji.
- Shigella flexneri isolates in Fiji demonstrated sensitivity to cephalothin and cefaclor.
- Intravenous antibiotics (chloramphenicol, ampicillin) were ineffective in a patient due to organism resistance.
Findings:
- Current Fiji antibiotic guidelines recommend use only for moderate to severe dysentery.
- Recommended treatments like chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid show high resistance or unavailability.
- Ceftriaxone and cephalothin are the only effective intravenous options but are expensive and not widely accessible.
Implications:
- The study highlights the urgent need for updated treatment protocols and antibiotic stewardship in Fiji.
- Limited access to effective and affordable intravenous antibiotics complicates the management of severe Shigellosis cases.
- Addressing MDR in Shigella is crucial for preventing severe illness and mortality in Fiji and similar settings.
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