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[Shigellosis in Tucumán]
Revista De La Asociacion Argentina De Microbiologia
|September 1, 1975
Summary
Shigellosis increased in Tucumán children between 1971-1973. Shigella flexneri B and Shigella sonnei D were the main strains, predominantly affecting children under three. Antibiotic treatment showed good efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Diarrhea remains a significant health concern, particularly in developing regions.
- Shigellosis is a major cause of bacterial diarrhea, especially in young children.
- Understanding pathogen prevalence and antibiotic resistance is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and characteristics of shigellosis in Tucumán.
- To identify the predominant Shigella species and their antibiotic susceptibility.
- To evaluate the clinical response to antibiotic treatment in children with shigellosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 731 diarrhea cases from January 1971 to June 1973.
- Isolation and identification of enteropathogens, including Shigella species.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolated Shigella strains.
- Clinical data collection on patient age, nutritional status, and treatment response.
Main Results:
- A notable increase in shigellosis cases was observed during the study period.
- Shigella flexneri B (78-93%) and Shigella sonnei D (7-22%) were the primary isolates.
- The majority of shigellosis cases (87.7%) occurred in children under three years old.
- Strains showed similar sensitivity to nalidixic acid, cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
- Shigella flexneri B exhibited lower susceptibility to kanamycin compared to Shigella sonnei D.
- Clinical improvement was observed in 55% of patients within 48 hours and 80% within 72 hours of antibiotic treatment.
- Children with malnutrition showed a slower recovery, with 7 out of 8 requiring over 72 hours for significant recovery.
Conclusions:
- Shigellosis poses a significant threat to young children in Tucumán.
- Antibiotic susceptibility patterns highlight the importance of targeted treatment.
- Malnutrition appears to impede recovery from shigellosis.
- Further research into effective treatment strategies for shigellosis, especially in malnourished children, is warranted.