Annual and geographical distribution of Shigella serotypes in Sabah, Malaysia from 1974 to 1978

19,983 cases of diarrhoea throughout Sabah, Malaysia from January 1971 to December 1978 were bacteriologically examined for Shigella. A total of 241 Shigella isolates representing 9 serotypes were encountered. S. flexneri and S. sonnei accounted for 69.7% and 29.5% of the isolates respectively. S. flexneri type 2 was very common and comprised 47% of the flexneri strains. S. flexneri types 5.6 and Y were rarely found. Only two cases of S. boydii were isolated. S. dysenteriae was not encountered. Isolation rates ranged from 0.64% to 1.73% while the percentages or cases of diarrhoea bacteriologically examined in relation to the number notified range from 13.7 to 29.6. Kota Kinabalu. Tawau and Sandakan accounted for 50.6%. 21.2% and 8.2% of Shigella isolates respectively. However. no isolations were made from Lahad Datu, Semporna and Victoria [Labuan Island]. S. flexneri type 5 was only found in Sandakan while S. flexnert type Y was isolated from Kota Kinubulu. No S. Sonnel was found in Ranau and Tenom.