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Increase in drug resistance among Shigella dysenteriae, Sh flexneri, and Sh boydii
Abstract:
Two thousand three hundred and seventy strains of Shigella dysenteriae, Sh flexneri, and Sh boydii isolated in England and Wales from 1974 to 1978 were tested for resistance to 12 antimicrobial drugs. Eighty per cent of strains were resistant to one or more drugs, with sulphonamide resistance occurring most frequently. Resistance to streptomycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol increased during the period, as did the incidence of multiple resistance. Most infections due to Sh dysenteriae, Sh flexneri, and Sh boydii are acquired abroad, and the increasing incidence of drug resistance among these organisms contrasts with the decreasing incidence of resistance among the indigenous Sh sonnei. These findings may indicate the need for better control of antibiotic use, particularly in developing countries.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance in Shigella bacteria (Shigella dysenteriae, Sh flexneri, Sh boydii) increased significantly between 1974-1978. This trend highlights the urgent need for better antibiotic stewardship, especially in developing nations.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Shigella species are significant enteric pathogens.
- Antimicrobial resistance poses a growing global health threat.
- Monitoring resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess antimicrobial drug resistance in Shigella strains isolated in England and Wales between 1974 and 1978.
- To identify trends in resistance to 12 antimicrobial drugs over the study period.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological analysis of 2,370 Shigella strains (Shigella dysenteriae, Sh flexneri, Sh boydii).
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 12 different drugs.
- Comparative analysis of resistance data over a five-year period.
Main Results:
- Eighty percent of tested Shigella strains exhibited resistance to at least one antimicrobial drug.
- Sulphonamide resistance was the most prevalent.
- Increasing resistance was observed for streptomycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol.
- A rise in multidrug resistance was also noted.
- In contrast, indigenous Shigella sonnei showed decreasing resistance.
Conclusions:
- The increasing antimicrobial resistance in Shigella dysenteriae, Sh flexneri, and Sh boydii, often acquired abroad, is a concerning trend.
- Findings suggest a potential need for improved antibiotic usage controls, particularly in developing countries.
- This highlights the importance of global surveillance for antimicrobial resistance patterns.