Public health and clinical implications of multidrug-resistant shigellosis cases in a reception centre for refugees/migrants, Greece, October–December 2019

Abstract

Abstract From October to December 2019, 18 shigellosis cases (median age: 4.3 years, range: 0–21) were identified in the Reception Center for refugees/migrants on the Greek island of Samos. Fifteen cases (83.3%) were Afghani. Median time from arrival to symptoms onset was 53 days (40–101). Isolates from 14 cases, serotyped as Shigella flexneri 1b, and from three cases, serotyped as S. sonnei phase S (I), presented a multidrug-resistant phenotype. S. flexneri 1b isolates also produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Shigella flexneri 2a isolate from the remaining case was resistant to sulfomethoxazole, trimethoprim and pefloxacin. Improvement of hygiene and strengthening of laboratory investigation is needed.