Shigella infections rise in US amid antibiotic resistance

Health experts are warning of a rise in Shigella infections in the United States, which are increasingly being transmitted sexually and showing high levels of antibiotic resistance. While Shigella has historically spread through contaminated food, water, or in childcare settings, it is now becoming endemic in certain communities of men who have sex with men.

Data from the CDC indicates a significant increase in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. In 2011, 0% of analyzed samples were resistant to five common antibiotics; by 2023, that figure rose to 8.5%. This shift marks a transition from a relatively treatable intestinal pathogen to a potential ‘superbug’ that is increasingly difficult to manage.

Clinical observations, such as those at UCLA, show a sharp rise in resistant cases, with some medical staff reporting a monthly occurrence of XDR Shigella compared to only one case per year in previous periods. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which in severe cases can lead to dehydration, septic shock, or neurological complications.