Shigellosis

Abstract

Shigella is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular, gastric acid-resistant bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, which includes four serogroups: Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri, and Shigella boydii. Globally, shigellosis is the most common cause of invasive bloody diarrhoea in children younger than 5 years. Humans are the only natural reservoir and an inoculum of only 10-100 organisms is required for infection. Rising antibiotic resistance rates increasingly reduce the ability to adequately treat severe disease. The prevention of infection with vaccination and sanitation strategies remains a crucial step in reducing worldwide morbidity and mortality.