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Epidemiology and genetic characterization of Shigella flexneri strains isolated from three paediatric populations in Egypt (2000–2004)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2006

S. F. AHMED ,
M. S. RIDDLE ,
T. F. WIERZBA ,
I. ABDEL MESSIH ,
M. R. MONTEVILLE ,
J. W. SANDERS  and
J. D. KLENA
S. F. AHMED
Affiliation:
United States Naval Medical Research Unit – 3, Cairo, Egypt
M. S. RIDDLE
Affiliation:
United States Naval Medical Research Unit – 3, Cairo, Egypt
T. F. WIERZBA
Affiliation:
United States Naval Medical Research Unit – 3, Cairo, Egypt
I. ABDEL MESSIH
Affiliation:
United States Naval Medical Research Unit – 3, Cairo, Egypt
M. R. MONTEVILLE
Affiliation:
United States Naval Medical Research Unit – 3, Cairo, Egypt
J. W. SANDERS
Affiliation:
United States Naval Medical Research Unit – 3, Cairo, Egypt
J. D. KLENA
Affiliation:
United States Naval Medical Research Unit – 3, Cairo, Egypt
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Abstract

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Ninety-seven isolates of Shigella flexneri from children seeking medical care from three sites in Egypt were characterized. Overall, 46·4% of children (median age 17 months) were febrile or reported blood in their stools, 25·8% were dehydrated and 16·5% were admitted to hospital. Serotypes 2a (37·1%), 1b (18·6%), 1c (17·5%), and 6 (15·5%) comprised over 88·7% of the total isolates. We observed marked resistance to ampicillin (87·6%), tetracycline (84·5%) and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (63·9%). Pulsed-field electrophoresis grouped the majority of isolates within a serotype together, separately from isolates of an alternative serotype. The set gene was present in all serogroup 2a isolates, however, the sen gene was detected in every isolate. Our results show S. flexneri 1c has emerged as a dominant S. flexneri serotype in Egypt. Development and application of a Shigella vaccine should consider the diversity of Shigella serotypes within a geographical region prior to administration.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 134 , Issue 6 , December 2006 , pp. 1237 - 1248
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

Footnotes

The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private ones of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, the United States Government, or the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population.