Public health and clinical implications of multidrug-resistant shigellosis cases in a reception centre for refugees/migrants, Greece, October-December 2019

Eur J Public Health. 2021 Jul 13;31(3):588-590. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa220.

Abstract

From October to December 2019, 18 shigellosis cases (median age: 4.3 years, range: 0-21) were identified in the Reception Center for refugees/migrants on the Greek island of Samos. Fifteen cases (83.3%) were Afghani. Median time from arrival to symptoms onset was 53 days (40-101). Isolates from 14 cases, serotyped as Shigella flexneri 1b, and from three cases, serotyped as S. sonnei phase S (I), presented a multidrug-resistant phenotype. S. flexneri 1b isolates also produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Shigella flexneri 2a isolate from the remaining case was resistant to sulfomethoxazole, trimethoprim and pefloxacin. Improvement of hygiene and strengthening of laboratory investigation is needed.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dysentery, Bacillary* / drug therapy
  • Dysentery, Bacillary* / epidemiology
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Public Health
  • Refugees*
  • Transients and Migrants*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents