TY - JOUR AU - Belay Roma, AU - Solomon Worku, AU - Shiferaw T/Mariam, AU - Nina Langeland, PY - 2021/08/17 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Shigella isolates in Awassa JF - The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development JA - EJHD VL - 14 IS - 2 SE - Original Articles DO - UR - https://ejhd.org/index.php/ejhd/article/view/3559 SP - AB - <p><strong>Abstract: </strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;A prospective study was conducted in Awassa, Southern Ethiopia from July 1997 to April 1998 in order to determine the antimicrobial pattern of <em>Shigella </em>strains. Moreover, the study was intended to form the basis of treatment guidelines for <em>shigellosis </em>appropriate to local conditions.&nbsp; In addition, the study was designed to accumulate epidemiological information on the resistance patterns of <em>Shigella </em>isolates of public health importance.&nbsp;&nbsp; A total of one hundred <em>Shigella </em>strains were isolated from 289 cultures received at the Center for Health Research and Laboratories (CHRL), collected from different health units.&nbsp; Ninety-nine strains were <em>Shigella </em><em>flexneri </em>group B and one <em>Shigella dysenteriae </em>group A isolated.&nbsp; All isolates were susceptibility tested for nine antibiotics using disc diffusion technique.&nbsp; The result showed that 96% .and 90% strains were susceptible to gentamicin and nalidixic acid respectively.&nbsp; High rate of resistance was particularly documented against the following antibiotics: ampicillin (93%), erythromycin (90%), and tetracycline (90%).&nbsp; Fifty-six percent of <em>Shigella flexneri </em>Group B isolates were found to be resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is one of the drugs of choice for treating shigellosis is Ethiopia.&nbsp; Multiple drug resistance to as many as six antibiotics, i.e. ampicillin, cephalotin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has been observed in this study.&nbsp; One strain of <em>Shigella flexneri </em>was found to be resistant to eight drugs.&nbsp; The findings are discussed and recommendations forwarded. <em>[Ethiop. J. Health Dev. </em>2000; 14(2): 149-154]</p> ER -