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SHIGELLA FLEXNER DYSENTERY IN THE AUSTRALIAN FORCES IN SOUTH VIETNAM
Author(s) -
Grant A. Kerr,
Purser B. N.,
Hazel J. R.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1969.tb107381.x
Subject(s) - bacillary dysentery , shigella flexneri , dysentery , erythromycin , outbreak , shigella , medicine , antibiotics , administration (probate law) , streptomycin , chancroid , microbiology and biotechnology , virology , biology , salmonella , political science , bacteria , escherichia coli , biochemistry , genetics , law , gene , syphilis , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)
A limited outbreak of bacillary dysentery in an Australian Army service unit in South Vietnam is described. Clinical control was achieved with the oral administration of phthalylsulpathiazole and streptomycin given intramuscularly. Eradication of Shigella flexneri organisms from the patients proved difficult, but was generally achieved by further courses of phthalylsulphathiazole. Resistant carriers responded to orally administered erythromycin. Administration of phthalylsulphathiazole as a routine to all men In the unit affected prevented a spread of the outbreak. Experience of five isolated cases of bacillary dysentery in the Australian forces in South Vietnam is also presented. It would appear that phthalylsulphathiazole and erythromycin are the antibiotics of choice, at present, in the areas in South Vietnam in which Australian troops are most likely to be engaged.