[Shigella spp. infections in Getafe Hospital between 2001 and 2006].

INTRODUCTION

Shigella spp. is a bacterium that frequently causes diarrhoea in underdeveloped countries, but not so much in Spain, where it has been published that its incidence has decreased in the last few years.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study has been to asses changes in the epidemiology of Shigella spp. infection over the last 5 years in children of Getafe, as well as the subspecies of Shigella spp. that cause illness in this area (area 10, Madrid), the need for hospitalisation, the complications and the treatment.

METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out, based on a review of the medical charts of children less than fifteen years old and had a diagnosis of Shigella spp. infection during 2000-2006. They were identified through the Getafe Hospital Microbiology Service.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were identified, of which only four needed to be hospitalised. There were no differences between males and females. The Shigella spp. subspecies identified were S. sonnei and S. flexneri. The most frequent symptoms were vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and fever. Only one had dehydration as a complication. The treatment was symptomatic, except in the four hospitalised patients, who required fluid therapy and antibiotics. The outcome was good in all patients.

CONCLUSION

In this study, there appears to be an increase in the Shigella spp. incidence over the last few years in Area 10 of Madrid. Due to the fact that Shigella spp. is not a frequent bacterium in Spain, there are not enough studies on it, therefore it would be of interest to carry out prospective studies, in order to confirm this increase in incidence.