Isolation, Identification and Evaluation of Antibiotic Sensitivity and Resistance of Shigella Dysenteriae Isolated from Food, Water and Soil

Background: Shigella is a genus of gram negative, facultative anerobic rod shaped bacteria divided into four species that are Shigella dysenteriae (serogroup A), Shigella flexneri (serogroup B), Shigella boydii (serogroup C) and Shigella sonnei (serogroup D). Shigella species are the etiological agent of shigellosis and most serious illnesses are caused by Shigella dysenteriae. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine antibiotic sensitivity and resistance of Shigella dysenteriae isolates to ensure that severe diarrhea infection remain treatable. Method: A total of 75 samples from different environmental sources were collected, processed and tested for the identification of Shigella dysenteriae after observing the cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Antibiotic sensitivity and resistance pattern of these isolates were also studied by disk diffusion method. Results: It was observed that out of 75 samples, 42 samples were positive for Shigella dysenteriae. All Shigella isolates were highly resistant to Penicillin (100%), Vancomycin (100%), Aztreonam (100%), Ertapenem (100%) followed by Ceftriaxone (78%) and aAmikacin (74%) whereas highly sensitive to Imipenem (72%) followed by Ciproflaxin (67%) and Meropenem (47%). Conclusion: Resistance of Shigella dysenteriae to antibiotics that are commonly used for treatment of shigellosis is increasing at alarming rate. Multipronged strategies should be adopted to ensure that severe diarrhea infection remain treatable.