Aim. To evaluate antimicrobial resistance of S.sonnei and S.flexneri in 2000 and to compare these data with the results, obtained in 1998 and 1995.
Materials and methods. A total of 568 isolates of Shigella were obtained from stools of hospitalized children: 203 isolates of S.sonnei and 109 of S.flexneri in 1995; 131 of S.sonnei and 84 of S.flexneri in 1998; 40 of S.sonnei and 37 of S.flexneri in 2000. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Shigella strains was performed using disk diffusion method according to the NCCLS guidelines.
Results. Shigella resistance to some antimicrobial agents in 2000 were follows: S.sonnei and S.flexneri to ampicillin, non tested; ceftazidime, 0 % and 0 %; chloramphenicol, 67.5 % and 45.9 %; gentamicin, 0 % and 2.7 %; cotrimoxazole, 55 % and 58.3 %; ciprofloxacin, 0 % and 0 %.
S.sonnei and S.flexneri resistance in 1998: to ampicillin, 74.5 % and 95.9 %; ceftazidime, 0 % and 0 %; chloramphenicol, 56.5 % and 86.9 %; gentamicin, 2.3 % and 0 %; cotrimoxazole, 92.4 % and 50 %; ciprofloxacin, 0 % and 0 %.
S.sonnei and S.flexneri resistance in 1995 : to ampicillin, 38 % and 94.3 %; ceftazidime, 6 % and 15.8 %; chloramphenicol, 16.9 % and 71.1 %; gentamicin, 17.8 % and 18.3 %; cotrimoxazole, 57.1 % and 29.1 %; ciprofloxacin, not tested.
Conclusions. Antimicrobial resistance of Shigella strains to some antimicrobial agents during six year period was high in Lithuania. All Shigella isolates were sensitive to ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin.