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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella
Published on: February 9, 2024
Increased isolation and characterization of Shigella sonnei obtained from hospitalized children in Tehran, Iran
Reza Ranjbar1, Mohammad M Soltan Dallal, Malihe Talebi
1Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Shigella flexneri has been the most frequent cause of shigellosis in children in Iran. To evaluate the changes in frequency of serogroups, 302 Shigella species were isolated in 2003 from hospitalized children, aged less than 12 years, with acute diarrhoea in Tehran, Iran. The number of collected S. sonnei, S. flexneri, S. boydii, and S. dysenteriae isolates was 178 (58.9%), 110 (37.4%), 10 (3.3%), and 4 (1.3%) respectively. Most (94%) S. sonnei isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole. They were, however, relatively or completely sensitive to 15 commonly-used antibiotics. The extracted plasmids showed 12 different profiles with two closely-related patterns constituting 70% of the total isolates. Ribotyping, using PvuII, HindIII or SalI restriction enzymes, generated a single pattern for all S. sonnei isolates. Data suggest that S. sonnei has become the predominant serogroup in children in the hospitals of Tehran.
Insights
Shigella sonnei is now the leading cause of shigellosis in Tehran children, replacing Shigella flexneri. Most Shigella sonnei strains show co-trimoxazole resistance but remain sensitive to other antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Shigella flexneri was historically the predominant cause of shigellosis in Iranian children.
- Shigellosis remains a significant public health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changing frequency of Shigella serogroups in hospitalized children in Tehran.
- To assess the antimicrobial resistance patterns and genetic relatedness of isolated Shigella species.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological isolation and identification of 302 Shigella species from children with acute diarrhea in Tehran, Iran (2003).
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against commonly used antibiotics.
- Plasmid profiling and ribotyping (using PvuII, HindIII, SalI restriction enzymes) for genetic analysis.
Main Results:
- Shigella sonnei emerged as the predominant serogroup (58.9%), followed by S. flexneri (37.4%).
- Most S. sonnei isolates (94%) were resistant to co-trimoxazole but sensitive to other antibiotics.
- Plasmid analysis revealed 12 profiles, with two patterns dominating (70%), and ribotyping showed a single pattern for all S. sonnei isolates.
Conclusions:
- Shigella sonnei has become the predominant Shigella serogroup in hospitalized children in Tehran.
- The findings highlight a significant shift in the epidemiology of shigellosis in the region.
- Understanding these epidemiological changes is crucial for guiding treatment strategies and public health interventions.
