Serogroup distribution of Shigella in Ile-Ife, southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Shigellosis is endemic throughout the world and Shigella spp. is among the most common pathogens responsible for bacterial diarrhoeal diseases. Death attributed to shigellosis is common in developing countries, where affected populations are immunologically compromised due to poor nutrition and background infections.

AIM

To investigate the serogroup distribution of Shigella spp. recovered from clinically diagnosed cases of gastroenteritis and acute diarrhoea among children (0-5 years) in Ile-Ife, southwest Nigeria between September 2003 and September 2006.

METHODS

The isolates were identified and characterized biochemically and serologically.

RESULTS

Out of 102 Shigella isolates identified, 45 (44%) were S. flexneri, 26 (25%) were S. dysenteriae, 19 (19%) were S. boydii, 6 (6%) were S. sonnei and 6 (6%) were untypable strains.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that Shigella serogroups can be considered an important aetiological agent of acute diarrhoea and mortality among children in Ile-Ife, southwest Nigeria.