High Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Resistance of Shigella Species in Diarrhea Samples in Khomein, Iran

Shigella species are one of the main causes of dysentery. This study aimed to determine the frequency and antibiotic resistance patterns of Shigella species isolated from infectious diarrhea samples in khomein, Iran. A total of 54 infectious diarrhea samples obtained from patients were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study from June 2017 through November 2018. The infectious diarrhea samples were cultured to XLD, MacConkey agar and GN Broth. The phenotypic antibiotic resistance profiles were determined. This study with research ethics code IR.ARAKMU.REC.1396.307 has been approved by research ethics committee at Arak University of Medical Sciences. Out of 54 infectious diarrhea samples, 11 (20.3%) with Shigella spp were identified using culture media. S. sonnei 9(81.8%) and S. flexneri 2(18.1%) were the single species found. The highest antibiotic resistance rates were found for cotrimoxazole 11(100%), ampicillin 10(90.9%), cefixime, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone 9(81.8%). In this study, 8 (72.7%) of the isolates were ESBL and 1 (9%) were AmpC positive. This study showed that Shigell spp are the main bacterial agent causing dysentery in infectious diarrhea samples in khomein, Iran. This should be taken into consideration by infectious specialists especially during empirical treatment.