ANTIBACTERIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SHIGELLA SPECIES FROM DYSENTRIC PATEINTS ATTENDING WUDIL GENERAL HOSPITAL KANO

ABSTRACT Shigellosis remains a significant public health challenge in developing countries, particularly among children and immunocompromised individuals. This study investigated the antibacterial susceptibility of Shigella species isolated from dysentery patients attending Wudil General Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria. A total of 15 stool samples were collected and cultured on Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar, followed by subculture and biochemical characterization. Out of the 15 samples, 5 (33.3%) were positive for Shigella species, including S. flexneri (2 isolates), S. sonnei (2 isolates), and S. dysenteriae (1 isolate). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar, and results were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M100 guidelines. The isolates exhibited universal resistance to Ampicillin and Cotrimoxazole, high resistance to Tetracycline (90%) and Nalidixic Acid (80%), and moderate sensitivity to Gentamicin (60–70%). In contrast, all isolates were highly sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone, indicating these antibiotics remain the most effective treatment options. The findings highlight the circulation of multidrug-resistant Shigella strains in the study area, with serious implications for empirical therapy. The results are consistent with similar studies in Nigeria and other developing regions, underscoring the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. This study concludes that while older first-line drugs are no longer effective, Ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone remain reliable for shigellosis management. Routine surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and public health interventions such as improved sanitation and hygiene are strongly recommended to curb the spread of resistant Shigella strains.