Increasing resistance to nalidixic acid in Shigella subgroups in a comparative study between 2001-2003 and 2004-2006

Mamishi S, Mashoori N, Mahboobi N, Pour Akbari B
Correspondence: Ms Negar Mashoori, negar_1400@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Introduction The Shigella spp. is an organism with an ongoing changing resistance pattern to different antibiotics, thus making its appropriate treatment difficult. Nalidixic acid has been one of the most common agents used for the treatment of shigellosis. Recently, some studies have reported an emerging resistance to this agent.
Methods In this study, we compared the resistance of Shigella isolates during the period 2001–2003 with the period 2004–2006.
Results Shigella spp. resistance was increased totally and in each subgroup, except for Shigella sonnei.
Conclusion Our results showed an increasing resistance of the Shigella spp., thus identifying an emergent need for an alternative agent for the treatment of shigellosis in future.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, dysentery, nalidixic acid, Shigella spp., shigellosis
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(8): 791-793