Increase in Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Shigella Notifications in South Australia (SA)

Increasing cases of MDR Shigella have been detected in SA in 2023, with most cases occurring among men who have sex with men and/or returned overseas travellers. Shigellosis usually causes a self-limiting gastroenteritis but can be more serious in immunocompromised/elderly/infants.

SA Health recommends GPs consider requesting stool culture in patients:

• with prolonged/bloody diarrhoea
• with immunocompromise
• in high-risk groups for MDR Shigella (as above).

Antibiotic choice should be according to susceptibilities and/or on the advice of an infectious diseases specialist or clinical microbiologist. Advise patients to maintain good hygiene and safer sex practices. Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) advise exclusion of certain patients from work until non-infectious.

For further information call the CDCB on 1300 232 272 for specific clinical questions or to discuss a case. For general information see SA Health Shigella Infection.