Shigella species cause a potentially severe diarrhoeal illness that is frequently travel-associated and is both foodborne and sexually acquired. There is evidence of increasing antibiotic resistance in Shigella isolates from international studies.1,2 However, there is limited published research on this issue in an Australian context. The current Australian Therapeutic Guidelines recommend either co-trimoxazole or quinolone therapy for suspected or proven shigellosis, but do comment that quinolone resistance is increasing in developing countries and recommend azithromycin as an alternative option, if required.3 Successful treatment of shigellosis reduces the duration of illness and infectivity.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
We acknowledge the contribution of surveillance officers in NSW public health units, and Nectarios Rose from Health Protection NSW for his assistance in extracting data from NCIMS. We also thank Peter Howard from the Enteric Reference Laboratory at the ICPMR. This work was completed while Simon Willcox was employed as trainee on the NSW Public Health Training Program funded by the NSW Ministry of Health.
No relevant disclosures.