Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Serological Diversity of <i>Shigella</i> Species from Patient Isolates at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Serological Diversity of <i>Shigella</i> Species from Patient Isolates at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Background: <i>Shigella</i> species are the leading cause of human shigellosis. In Zambia, more than 30% of children experiencing diarrhea are infected with <i>Shigella</i> species. The increasing resistance of <i>Shigella</i> species to the recommended therapy is...

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Main Authors: Mike Nundwe, Joseph Yamweka Chizimu, John Mwaba, Misheck Shawa, Rodrick S. Katete, Mable Mwale Mutengo, Ruth Nakazwe, Namwiinga R. Mulunda, Cephas Sialubanje, Mox Malama Kalumbi, Yamba Kaunda, Rapheal Chanda, Herman Chambaro, Harvey K. Kamboyi, Thoko Kapalamula, Steward Mudenda, Freeman W. Chabala, Bernard M. Hang’ombe, Roma Chilengi, Chie Nakajima, Yasuhiko Suzuki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Bacteria
Subjects:
<i>Shigella</i> species
antimicrobial resistance
sero-diversity
diarrhea
Zambia
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2674-1334/4/2/18
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Summary:Background: <i>Shigella</i> species are the leading cause of human shigellosis. In Zambia, more than 30% of children experiencing diarrhea are infected with <i>Shigella</i> species. The increasing resistance of <i>Shigella</i> species to the recommended therapy is of great concern. Therefore, this study investigated the antibiotic resistance profiles and phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of <i>Shigella</i> isolates at the largest referral hospital in Zambia. Methodology: Of the forty-eight archived presumptive <i>Shigella</i> isolates, thirty-two were serologically confirmed and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Thereafter, polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the <i>bla</i> genes. Results: Most isolates were <i>Shigella flexneri</i> (16/32, 50%) and <i>Shigella sonnei</i> (14/32, 44%), while <i>Shigella boydii</i> and <i>Shigella dysenteriae</i> were rare. High resistance rates were noted for sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (78%) and tetracycline (75%), while 15.6% of the isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin and/or azithromycin. The <i>bla</i><sub>TEM</sub> gene encoding beta-lactamase was detected in 7/32 (22%) of isolates. Conclusions: In this study, a significant number of multidrug-resistant isolates were identified. Additionally, <i>Shigella</i> species resistant to the World Health Organization-recommended drugs call for strengthened laboratory diagnosis and close monitoring of these pathogens to guide the clinical management of shigellosis.
ISSN:2674-1334

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