Prevalence of Shigella Related Diarrhea in Ambo Town and Antibiotic Susceptibility of the Isolated Strains

Shigellosis is a major dysenteric disease of developing countries where there are poor personal hygiene, waste disposal and water and food quality. Children are the most affected by the disease because of lower immunity. The prevalence of Shigella , the causative agent for Shigellosis, and susceptibility patterns against the commonly used antibiotics were the prior objectives. Seven out of the total 24 diarrheal stool samples(29%) collected during the study period (March to May 2011 ), were confirmed for Shigella sp following standard biochemical testes. About 43% isolates were obtained from children under 15years. The antimicrobial resistance of the isolates against Ampicillin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Chloramphenicole, Gentamicin and Tetracycline were 100%, 85.7%, 71.5%, 71.5% and 71.5% respectively. The antimicrobials Nalidixic acid, Norfloxacin and Ciprofloxacin were not resisted by any of the strains and their susceptibility patterns were 100%, 100% and 85.7% in their listed order. Multidrug resistance against two to five antimicrobials was also recorded. As to the recommendations for combating the disease, keeping personal hygiene, eradicating flies, using safe waste disposal method and appropriate usage of antibiotics were suggested.