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European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

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01-02-2021 | Public Health | Original Article

Outbreak of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Shigella flexneri in northern Australia due to an endemic regional clone acquiring an IncFII plasmid

Authors: Christine J. D. Guglielmino, Asha Kakkanat, Brian M. Forde, Sally Rubenach, Lea Merone, Russell Stafford, Rikki M. A. Graham, Scott A. Beatson, Amy V. Jennison

Published in: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases | Issue 2/2021

Abstract

Epidemiological surveillance of Shigella spp. in Australia is conducted to inform public health response. Multi-drug resistance has recently emerged as a contributing factor to sustained local transmission of Shigella spp. All data were collected as part of routine public health surveillance, and strains were whole-genome sequenced for further molecular characterisation. 108 patients with an endemic regional Shigella flexneri strain were identified between 2016 and 2019. The S. flexneri phylogroup 3 strain endemic to northern Australia acquired a multi-drug resistance conferring bla_DHA plasmid, which has an IncFII plasmid backbone with virulence and resistance elements typically found in IncR plasmids. This is the first report of multi-drug resistance in Shigella sp. in Australia that is not associated with men who have sex with men. This strain caused an outbreak of multi-drug-resistant S. flexneri in northern Australia that disproportionality affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Community controlled public health action is recommended.

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Title: Outbreak of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Shigella flexneri in northern Australia due to an endemic regional clone acquiring an IncFII plasmid
Authors: Christine J. D. Guglielmino
Asha Kakkanat
Brian M. Forde
Sally Rubenach
Lea Merone
Russell Stafford
Rikki M. A. Graham
Scott A. Beatson
Amy V. Jennison
Publication date: 01-02-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Public Health
Azithromycin
Published in: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 0934-9723
Electronic ISSN: 1435-4373
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-020-04029-w

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