Prevalence of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings and antimicrobial sensitivity of Shigella in children

Abstract Background: Diarrhea is one of the common diseases of children. Early diagnosis of etiology and appropriate treatment can reduce complications and secondary cases. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and antimicrobial sensitivity of shigella in children. Methods: This survey was conducted on 158 patients referring to Qods hospital of Qazvin having positive stool culture during 1994-95. Findings: The most common signs included diarrhea (100%), fever (90%), vomiting (76%), seizure (41%) abdominal pain (33%). It occurred most often in summer (69%) and in children in the age range of 1 to 4 (67%). The most common laboratory finding was white blood cells in stool (91%). The patients were 75% resistant to co-trimoxazole and 89% to ampicillin. Only 2% were resistant to nalidixic acid. Conclusion: According to low resistance of shigella species to nalidixic acid, the use of nalidixic acid is recommended as a first choice in treatment of shigellosis.