Shigella is a type of bacteria that causes shigellosis, a disease that affects the intestinal tract. It is a highly contagious bacterium and can spread through contaminated food or water, or through person-to-person contact. In this blog, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, treatment, and preventions.
Table of Contents
- Causes :
- How does Shigella Infection Spread?
- High Shigellosis Rate in Children
- Symptoms :
- Treatment:
- Prevention:
- CDC WARNING:
- Conclusion:
Causes :
It is caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. There are four main types of this bacteria that can cause illness in humans, and they are:
- Shigella sonnei: It is the most common type of shigella bacteria found in developed countries.
- Shigella flexneri: It is the most common type of shigella bacteria found in developing countries.
- Shigella boydii: It is rare and usually found in developing countries.
- Shigella dysenteriae: It is the rarest and most severe form of shigella bacteria.
It is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, which means that it spreads when people ingest fecal matter from an infected person or contaminated food or water.
How does Shigella Infection Spread?
Shigella species are typically spread through the fecal-oral route, and the majority of infections occur through person-to-person transmission due to the low infectious dose. Infections can be caused by as few as ten Shigella bacteria. The risk of transmission and infection is heightened in environments where infected individuals are present, especially in cases of poor hand hygiene, consumption of contaminated food or water, insufficient sanitation and toileting facilities, overcrowded conditions, and sexual contact. Shigella bacteria are found in the stools of infected individuals during the illness and for up to one to two weeks afterward. It is estimated that as much as 80% of all Shigella infections result from person-to-person transmission.
Contaminated food is also a potential source of Shigella infections. Research suggests that around one-third of annual shigellosis cases in the United States may result from consuming food tainted with the bacteria. The incidence of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. is monitored through FoodNet, a reporting system employed by public health agencies, which captures such illnesses in 15% of the population. Among the 10 pathogens tracked by FoodNet, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shigella contribute to the majority of foodborne illness cases. Food is estimated to be the transmission vehicle in approximately 35% of all shigellosis cases.
High Shigellosis Rate in Children
Several factors contribute to the high rates of shigellosis in children. Young children face challenges in maintaining good personal hygiene and lack immunity to S. sonnei. The infectious dose is remarkably low, ranging from 10 to 200 organisms, and person-to-person transmission is highly efficient. Day-care centers significantly contribute to the person-to-person spread of shigellosis, leading to its wider dissemination in communities. Insufficient handwashing, improper diapering practices, and fecal contamination of water-play areas, such as kiddie pools, have been linked to the transmission of S. sonnei in day-care settings.
Symptoms :
The symptoms usually appear within one to three days of exposure and include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea, which may be bloody
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
In severe cases, it can cause dehydration, which can be life-threatening, especially in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
Treatment:
Most cases are mild and resolve on their own within five to seven days without any specific treatment. However, if the symptoms are severe or if the person is at high risk for complications, treatment may be necessary.
The main treatment for this is hydration. It is essential to drink plenty of fluids, such as water, sports drinks, and clear broths, to replace the fluids lost through diarrhea and vomiting.
In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat severe shigella infections. However, overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, so it is essential to use antibiotics only when necessary.
Prevention:
- Washing hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
- Avoiding raw or undercooked meat and seafood.
- Avoiding drinking untreated water or water from unknown sources.
- Disinfecting surfaces that may be contaminated with shigella bacteria.
- Staying home from school or work if you have diarrhea.
CDC WARNING:
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a health advisory to warn the public of an outbreak of a drug-resistant bacteria called Shigella.
Shigellosis customarily affects young children, the CDC says it has started to see more of the antimicrobial-resistant infections in adult populations,specifically in homosexual men, homeless people, international travelers and HIV positive people
There are narrow antimicrobial treatments available for these particular drug-resistant strains of Shigella and it’s also easily transmissible, warned the CDC in the 24th Friday advisory. It’s also able to spread antimicrobial resistance genes to other bacteria that infect the intestines.
“Given these potentially serious public health concerns, CDC asks healthcare professionals to be sharp-eyed about suspecting and reporting cases of XDR Shigella infection to their local or state health department and educating patients and communities at increased risk about prevention and transmission,” the advisory said.
The CDC says patients will recover from shigellosis without any antimicrobial treatment and it can be managed with oral hydration, but for those who are infected with the drug-resistant strains there are no recommendations for treatment if symptoms become more severe.
The percentage of infections from drug-resistant strains of the bacteria increased from zero in 2015 to 5% in 2022, according to the CDC.
Nationwide, there are nearly 3 million antimicrobial-resistant infections each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result, according to the CDC.
A recent report by the United Nations said roughly 5 million deaths worldwide were associated with antimicrobial resistance in 2019 and the annual toll is expected to increase to 10 million by 2050 if steps are not taken to stop the spread of antimicrobial resistance
Conclusion:
Shigella is a highly contagious bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration. The best way to prevent is through good hygiene practices, such as washing hands frequently, avoiding raw or undercooked meat and seafood, and disinfecting surfaces. If you suspect that you or someone you know has shigella, seek medical attention promptly. With proper treatment and care, most people recover from it without any long-term complications
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