Existing status of shigellosis in Andaman & Nicobar islands.

A total of 691 children below five years of age, who were suffering from acute diarrhoea, were investigated. Conventional bacterial pathogens were isolated in 133 (19.2%) cases. Shigella sp. was the most common isolate being positive in 72 (10.4%) faecal specimens. No isolation of Shigella sp. was observed in paediatric patients less than 6 months of age while the maximum isolations were observed among 7-12 month old children. All isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, gentamycin and nalidixic acid and resistant to ampicillin. Multiple drug resistant isolates were observed during the study also. In all, 7 antibiograms were observed.