OBJECTIVE: Gastroenteritis, particularly infectious diarrhea has worldwide distribution, and is still an important health problem predominantly in the rural areas of Turkey. Shigella and Salmonella species are invasive pathogens. This study was planned with the aim of invastigating the frequency of Shigella and Salmonella isolation rates and to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates.
MATERIALS and METHODS: The stool specimens sent to our laboratory for culture were analysed retrospectively. Stool specimens were taken primarily into macroscopic and then microscopic examination. Samples including blood/mucus and leukocytes were evaluated as suspicious for invasive disease and bacteriogicalexaminations were performed. Isolates were identified by conventional methods,and tested for susceptibilities against ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, cefotaxime and trimethoprim/sulfomethoxazole(TMP/SMX) by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to the instructions of CLSI.
RESULTS: A total of 90 specimens out of 2669 samples were eligible for the acceptence criteria. Of these samples, 14 (15,6%) were Shigella flexneri, 3(3,3%)were Salmonellaspp. According to the antibiotic susceptibility patterns; out of 14 S.flexneri strains 12(85,7%) were resistant to ampicillin, 2(14,3%) were resistant to trimethoprim/sulfomethoxazole, but no resistance was detected for ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime. Resistance rates of Salmonella species were; 66,7 % for ampicillin, no resistance was detected for TMP/SMX, ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime.
CONCLUSION: Differentresistance profilesobtained inthis study showed once again, the importance of having theknowledge about thelocalantibioticresistance patterns, as this maylead for empiricaltreatment and beuseful in limiting the development of resistance. More comprehensive studies are needed to interpretthe results of this preliminary study from this region
