[Dysentery in Poland in 2001].

The notified number of dysentery cases is still very low, similar to the number reported in 2000. Only 128 cases were notified in the year 2001 (incidence 0.33/100,000 population) while 121 cases were notified in 2000 (incidence 0.31/100,000). No death due to dysentery was notified. The last three death cases were notified in 1999. Only one outbreak of foodborne infection due to S. sonnei involving 28 patients was registered, less than in 2000 when 2 outbreaks, one due to S. flexneri and one due to S. sonnei, and less than in 1999, when four outbreaks involving 146 patients were registered. S. sonnei remains the dominant etiological agent. It was isolated in 91% of notified dysentery cases and S. flexneri was isolated only in 10% of cases. S. dysenteriae and S. boydii were not found among persons examined bacteriologically by laboratory service of Epidemiological and Sanitary Stations. The external control of selective media used in 37 laboratories for routine bacteriological diagnosis of humans intestinal infections in the Sanitary--Epidemiological Stations (SSE) in Poland was performed. It was shown that the quality of the Mac Conkey medium was adequate for all 4 bacterial strains checked: S. sonnei, S. flexneri, S. Typhi and S. Enteritidis. All specimens of the SS medium were acceptable only for diagnosis of S. Enteritidis infections. The quality of media used in nearly 1/3 of SSE bacteriological laboratories was inadequate for diagnosis of S. flexneri infections and in some laboratories even not sufficient for diagnosis of infections due to S. Typhi and S. sonnei. In the period of low frequency of Shigella infections the external control of the quality of bacteriological media and laboratory procedures is needed and should be done regularly.