Related Experiment Videos

Antimicrobial therapy in Plesiomonas shigelloides-associated diarrhea in Thai children

N Visitsunthorn1, P Komolpis

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Insights

Antibiotics did not significantly alter fever or diarrhea duration in Thai children with Plesiomonas shigelloides (P. shigelloides) infections. This study found no clinical benefit from antibiotic use in treating P. shigelloides-associated diarrhea.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Plesiomonas shigelloides (P. shigelloides) is a recognized cause of bacterial gastroenteritis.
  • Antibiotic treatment is commonly considered for bacterial diarrhea, but its efficacy for P. shigelloides is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in children with P. shigelloides-associated diarrhea.
  • To compare the duration of fever and diarrhea in children who received antibiotics versus those who did not.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective case-controlled study involving 36 Thai children diagnosed with P. shigelloides-associated diarrhea.
  • Patients were divided into two groups: 19 treated with antibiotics and 17 controls who received no antibiotics.
  • Demographic and clinical data, including fever duration and diarrhea severity, were compared between groups.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed high efficacy of quinolones and cephalosporins against P. shigelloides isolates.
  • Conversely, only 9% of isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, while others like co-trimoxazole and gentamicin showed high susceptibility.
  • No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the duration of fever or diarrhea between the antibiotic-treated group and the control group.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic administration did not demonstrate a significant impact on the duration of fever or diarrhea in Thai children with P. shigelloides-associated diarrhea.
  • The findings suggest that supportive care may be sufficient for managing P. shigelloides gastroenteritis in this pediatric population.
  • Further research could explore specific antibiotic regimens or alternative treatments if indicated.

Related Concept Videos