ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANCE IN SHIGELLA AND SALMONELLA IN A REGION OF LITHUANIA

To gather information on the antibiotic susceptibility of Shigella and Salmonella in the Baltic countries, 98 Shigella and 100 Salmonella is olates collected consecutively in 1994 were examined. All Shigella iso lates were resistant to at least two of 12 antibacterial agents: 100% were resistant to oxytetracycline, 92% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol e, 64% to chloramphenicol, and 64% to ampicillin. Five different resis tance patterns were observed. Ninety-six Salmonella isolates (77% of w hich were serotype Enteritidis) were sensitive to 11 antibiotics; the remaining four were resistant to oxytetracycline. It is concluded that the frequent antibiotic resistance in Shigella is related to the over use of antibiotics in humans. Periodic surveillance of bacterial resis tance to antibiotics is warranted in Lithuania, the results of which c ould be used as a basis for a rational policy of antibiotic usage.