Investigation of Food Poisoning Outbreak Caused by Shigella in Children Referred to Kerman Afzalipour Hospital

Background & Aims:Shigella infection is still a health problem in less developed countries. This infection is a major cause of food poisoning that sometimes caused morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate outbreak of Shigella food poisoning in children referred to Kerman Afzalipour hospital. Method: In September 2015, a large number of children and adults with high fever and diarrhea following consumption of a common food were admitted in Kerman Afzalipour hospital, south east, Iran. Along with primary care, culture and smear of stool samples were tested in the laboratory. Results: From thirteen children aged 2 to 14 years, one child was treated as outpatient and 12 ones were hospitalized. One child had diarrhea with blood and mucus. Seven children had colitis along with numerous leukocytes in the stool test. Two patients had generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In two cases stool cultures showed Shigellaflexneri susceptible to third generation cephalosporin, but resistant to co-trimoxazole and nalidixic acid. After the treatment, all children were discharged from the hospital in good condition. Conclusion: In food poisoning, Shigella infection and antibiotic resistance of this bacterium should be considered.