Simultaneous Infection with Shigella sonnei and Vibrio cholerae in a Young Child

Lisa H. Hochstein

doi:10.29074/ascls.26.4.165

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.

Lisa H. Hochstein, M.S., MLS (ASCP)^CM⇑
1. Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program, Department of Pharmacy Administration and Allied Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY

Address for Correspondence: Lisa H. Hochstein, M.S., MLS (ASCP)^CM, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program^, Department of Pharmacy Administration and Allied Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11365, 718-990-8449, hochstel{at}stjohns.edu

Abstract

A 20-month old infant presented to the emergency department with diarrhea and vomiting of six days duration. Blood, stool and urine specimens were collected for both bacteriological culture and parasitic workup. Concurrent infections with both Shigella sonnei and Vibrio cholerae were determined to be the cause of the infectious diarrhea. This case illustrates the importance of the microbiology laboratory in detecting infrequently seen enteric pathogens. We will also review the pathogenesis and laboratory diagnosis of Vibrio cholerae and Shigella sonnei.

ABBREVIATIONS: SBAP – sheep blood agar plate, CBC – complete blood count, IV – intravenous, NaCl – sodium chloride, Spp. – species, BCG – bacillie Calmette-Guerin, TSI – triple sugar iron agar, LIA – lysine iron agar, ADP – adenosine dinucleotide phosphate, cAMP – cyclic adenosine monophosphate, TCBS – thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose, RBC – red blood cell, BUN – blood urea nitrogen, Na – sodium, K – potassium, Cl – chloride, CO₂ – carbon dioxide, Ca – calcium, TMP/SMX – trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole