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Shigellosis: highly contagious bloody diarrhea that is resistant to antibiotics
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More and more cases of shigellosis are appearing in France. The disease, which sometimes causes bloody diarrhea, is caused by the bacteria Shigella sonnei. This strain is highly contagious and particularly resistant to antibiotics.
Also read: These are the 13 most common bacterial infections
Wat is shigellose?
Shigellosis mainly affects tropical areas and developing countries where sanitary conditions are poorer. Children are particularly vulnerable to infection. Each year, the disease is responsible for 200,000 deaths worldwide, including 65,000 children.
Read also: Blood in the stool: possible causes
Bacterie Shigella sonnei
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There are 4 types of Shigella bacteria. In our industrialized countries, the circulating strain, Shigella sonnei, is the most antibiotic-resistant strain. Shigella S. usually causes small, controlled outbreaks in an environment where many children are together, but numerous outbreaks have been reported in the male homosexual community in recent years.
Read also: How does antibiotic resistance arise and what are the consequences?
Symptoms of shigellosis
In more serious cases the bacteria attacks the lining of the large intestine, which can lead to bloody, watery diarrhea or even bleeding. The patient risks severe dehydration and sepsis.
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Contamination of shigellosis
Shigellosis is transmitted via the fecal-oral route through direct contact with the feces of an infected person. The disease is highly contagious. Ingesting a small amount of the pathogen is enough to cause an infection. In addition, the bacteria are very resistant to stomach acid. Shigellosis can be transmitted:
- by consuming food and water contaminated with human feces
- through sexual intercourse with anal contact with an infected person
- by swimming in unsafe water
- by flying
- through soiled objects
The bacteria are excreted in the stool for several weeks after the onset of symptoms. This makes shigellosis outbreaks difficult to control.
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Treatment of shigellosis
Consult a doctor if there is blood in the stool or if the condition does not improve. A course of antibiotics should be started. Shigella, and the S. sonnei strain in particular, is unfortunately becoming increasingly resistant to first-line antibiotics. The treatment options are therefore becoming increasingly limited.
Read also: Mucus in the stool may indicate a health problem
Prevention
The best way to combat shigellosis is to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease by practicing good hand hygiene.
Sources:
https://www.pasteur.fr
https://www.msdmanuals.com
https://www.nature.com
https://www.who.int
https://www.sciensano.be