Shigellosis cases open up a new AMR challenge in Keralam
Data from Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network says that the resistance profile of primary antibiotics used to treat the infection is growing
In Keralam, primary antibiotics used to treat acute diarrhoeal diseases such as Shigellosis are increasingly displaying resistance, raising concerns about the effectiveness of antibiotic use. Data from KARS-NET, a robust AMR surveillance system, indicates that the resistance profile of primary antibiotics for Shigellosis treatment is on the rise.
Ciprofloxacin, a previously reliable treatment, shows a resistance rate of 96%, and Ceftriaxone, the next available drug, has a 36% resistance profile. This growing resistance could lead to more severe cases, requiring higher-end antibiotics like Meropenem, a last-resort drug. R. Aravind, head of infectious diseases at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, warns that this trend could significantly impact antibiotic efficacy for common infections.
Shigellosis, primarily an enteric disease spread through contaminated food and water, can be life-threatening in vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for responsible antibiotic use.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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