Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Understanding and Combatting Shigella Infections
Published on: February 9, 2024
Clinical and microbiological profiles of shigellosis in children
Insights
Shigella flexneri is the most common cause of shigellosis in children. Many strains show resistance to ciprofloxacin, highlighting the need for updated treatment guidelines for this infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Shigellosis clinical presentation varies based on Shigella species, virulence factors, and host immunity.
- Understanding the characteristics of Shigella strains is crucial for effective disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the species, virulence genes, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Shigella strains isolated from children with shigellosis.
- To correlate clinical disease severity with identified bacterial factors.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Shigella species from pediatric patients.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing using disc diffusion and E-test.
- Multiplex PCR for detecting virulence genes (ipaH, ial, set1A, set1B, sen, stx) and ESBL genes.
Main Results:
- Shigella flexneri accounted for 79% of isolates in children under 12.
- High resistance rates observed for ciprofloxacin (69%) and lower for ceftriaxone (9%).
- blaCTX and blaTEM genes were identified in ceftriaxone-resistant strains; key virulence genes like ipaH were universally present.
Conclusions:
- Shigella flexneri is predominant in pediatric shigellosis.
- Emerging antibiotic resistance, particularly to ciprofloxacin, is a significant concern.
- Presence of specific virulence genes is common, potentially influencing disease presentation.
Abstract:
Shigellosis presents with varied clinical features are dictated by the species involved, virulence factors of the strain, and the host immune status. We studied the species, virulence genes, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the Shigella strains isolated from 33 children aged less than 12 years, with clinical features of shigellosis. Identification and antibiotic sensitivity of Shigella species were done using disc diffusion and E-test. Multiplex PCR was done for the detection of virulence genes (ipaH, ial, set1A, set1B, sen, and stx) and ESBL genes. Parents of the children were interviewed using structured questionnaire to assess the severity of the disease; 26 (79%) of the isolates were Shigella flexneri. Ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone resistance was seen in 23 (69%) and 3 (9%) Shigella isolates respectively. Two ceftriaxone-resistant strains were found to harbour blaCTX gene and the third blaTEM gene. Virulence gene ipaH was detected in 100% of strains while ial, sen, setlA, and setlB were detected in 85%, 61%, 48%, and 48% respectively.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
01:25Cholera