Shigellosis, 2003

During 2003, 103 culture-confirmed cases of Shigella infection (2.1 per 100,000 population) were reported (Figure 1). This represents a 54% decrease from the 222 cases reported in 2002 and a 69% decrease from the median number of cases reported annually from 1998 to 2002 (median, 331 cases; range, 222 to 904).

In 2003, Shigella sonnei accounted for 72 (70%) cases, S. flexneri for 27 (26%), S. boydii for two (2%), and S. dysenteriae for one (1%); one isolate was not serotyped. Case-patients ranged in age from 7 months to 74 years (median, 23 years). Thirty-three percent of case-patients were less than 10 years of age; children less than 5 years of age accounted for 18% of cases. Sixteen (16%) case-patients were hospitalized. Seventy-eight percent of case-patients resided in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with 44% of all case-patients residing in Hennepin County. There were no outbreaks of shigellosis in 2003.

Every tenth Shigella isolate received at MDH was tested for antimicrobial resistance. Ten isolates were tested in 2003; 100% of isolates were resistant to ampicillin, 80% were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and 80% of isolates tested were resistant to both ampicillin and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole.

• For up to date information see>> Shigellosis (Shigella)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2003