Clinical Observations and Therapeutic Effect of Rifampin in Shigellosis

Kim, B K; Shin, S H; Kwon, Y D

Abstract

This paper presents the clinical, bacteriological assement and therapeutic effect of antimicrobial agents on 106 cases of shigellosis in children who had been treated at pediatric department of Keimyung University Medical College and Hospital during the period from January 1978 through June 1980. Following results were obtained 1) 68 cases(86.8%) were between 6 months to 5 years of age. 2) Male to female ratio was 9.9:1 with male predominance. 3) The cardinal clinical symptoms were diarrhea(101 cases, 95.27%) and high fever 63cases, 59.43%). The convulsions were noted in 24 cases(22.64%). 4) Shigella flexneri was most prevalent, isolated in 97 cases(91.5%) Sh. Sonnei were isolated in 8 cases(7.6%) and Sh. Dysenteriae in 1 cases(0.9%) 5) 32 cases were treated with Rifampin, 29 cases with Tobramycin, 32 cases with TMP/SMX and observed these effects clinically and bacteriologically. Rifampin was the most effective agent for shigella infections based on the following data of our study. Average duration of clinical improvement(days) : 1) Rifampin, 3.2 2) Tobramycin, 5.9 3) TMP/SMX, 5.3 Average duration of negative conversion of bacteria(days) : 1) Rifampin, 4.7 2) Tobramycin, 5.3 3) TMP/SMX, 7.0 Duration of hospitalization(days) : 1) Rifampin, 6.9 2) Tobramycin, 9.1 3) TMP/SMX, 8.3 Effectiveness(%) : 1) Rifampin, 96.9 2) Tobramycin, 72.4 3) TMP/SMX, 81.2