Shigellosis in Eastern Nigeria: Etiological frequency of serotypes and resistance to antibiotics

Between 1984 and 1986 a total of 1000 faecal samples and rectal swabs were cultured from patients presenting with diarrhoea. Shigellae were isolated from 5·6% of these samples. Shigella flexneri was the commonest isolated (68%), followed by Sh. sonnei (23%). A total of 22·8% of children (0–12 years of age) were positive for shigellae. Twenty‐seven (48·2%) strains were sensitive to all the five antibiotics tested (streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, ampicillin and sulphonamide). A total of 22 (39·2%) were resistant to three or more antibiotics. Nine (16%) were resistant to all five. The public health significance of the study is discussed.