Shigella is not an unknown bacillus. The effects of the disease it causes are known, treatments exist, and we are able to measure its mortality approximately. In short, it is not a new pathogen. But in the United States, an 'extensively drug-resistant' strain is of concern to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Potentially serious public health problem
This strain that is progressing and that worries the CDC is XDR. The Center says:
In 2022, about 5% of Shigella infections reported to CDC were caused by XDR strains, compared with 0% in 2015.
According to the CDC, healthcare providers lack options for treating patients infected with this strain, especially since 'XDR shigellosis is resistant to all generally recommended antibiotics in the United States'. In addition, 'XDR Shigella strains can spread antimicrobial resistance genes to other enteric bacteria'. This has spurred the CDC to issue a 'serious public health alert'.
Read more: NHS issues warning over antibiotic-resistant diphtheria
Shigella infections, known as shigellosis, usually cause diarrhea that can be prolonged and bloody, as well as fever and abdominal cramps. https://t.co/et4rPdQMu1
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 26, 2023
A diarrhoeal disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people
For information, shigellosis is a diarrhoeal disease that can be found in all regions of the world. According to the Pasteur Institute:
It is characterized by abdominal pain often accompanied by vomiting and the emission of very frequent and numerous stools, glairo-bloody and purulent, even sometimes hemorrhagic. The fever is high, with alteration of the general state.
It is transmitted notably by fecal-oral route: a person can be infected by changing a child's diaper, for example. It is estimated that about 200,000 people die from shigellosis each year, but those affected can usually recover without the help of treatment.
Read more: This highly contagious ancient illness is becoming resistant to treatment
CDPHE is monitoring Shigella cases in Colorado, a bacteria that can spread by contact with the stool of a person with Shigella. Good hand hygiene is key to preventing the spread of Shigella – regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. pic.twitter.com/hiYBdHYkqd
— Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (@CDPHE) February 24, 2023
This article has been translated from Gentside DE.
Sources used:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 'Increase in Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigellosis in the United States'
Institut Pasteur: 'SHIGELLOSE'
New York Post: 'Drug-resistant stomach bug spreading across US: ‘Serious public health alert’'
