A highly contagious gut infection known as Shigellosis, caused by the Shigella bacteria, is becoming increasingly difficult to treat as antibiotic-resistant strains become more common.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 17,000 Shigella samples were collected between 2011 and 2023. In 2023, 8.5% of these samples were classified as extensively drug-resistant, or XDR, meaning they were resistant to all five antibiotics defined by the CDC. This is a significant increase from the previous period, when no samples were classified as XDR.
Experts note that the growing resistance problem is not due to an increase in the number of infections, but rather a change in the bacteria themselves. Dr. Tyler Evans, a California-based infectious disease physician, said that "the infection is not surging, the bacteria are changing." He added that "case counts can hold steady while the treatment options quietly disappear."
The Shigella bacteria can spread through various means, including contaminated food or water, unwashed hands, or sexual activity. While Shigella is not typically considered a sexually transmitted infection, it can be spread through sex when one partner comes into contact with the other's fecal matter. According to the CDC report, most people with XDR Shigella were adult men, with a median age of 41, and nearly half of those with a known HIV status were living with the virus.
Experts recommend that people take precautions to reduce their risk of infection, such as washing their hands, genitals, and anal area before and after sex, using condoms or dental dams, and cleaning sex toys after each use. If symptoms of Shigella infection occur, it is essential to seek medical advice before taking antidiarrheal medicine.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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