Further studies on the antibiotic resistance ofShigella sonnei: I. Transferable antibiotic resistance

Abstract

SummaryThe incidence of antibiotic resistant strains ofSh. sonneiisolated in the London area is described. Strains were tested for their ability to transfer resistance to Most strains were resistant to sulphonamide and this resistance was transferable.An increasing proportion of strains was resistant to 800 µg./ml. of streptomycin, but transferable streptomycin resistance was less common and often associated with tetracycline resistance.The proportion of strains resistant to tetracycline fluctuated but this resistance was always transferred.Ampicillin resistance was common; only those strains resistant to 500µg./ml. transferred this resistance.Resistance to other antibiotics was very rare.