The natural history of the emergence of sexually transmissible shigellosis.

ABSTRACT: Shigellosis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by bacteria belonging to one of four species of Shigella. Sexually transmissible (ST) shigellosis was first reported in 1974, but recently there has been a global increase in the transmission of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. Here, we sought to characterise the natural history of ST shigellosis through literature review and genomic epidemiological analysis of early outbreaks. The literature review revealed a significant gap in reporting of ST shigellosis between the first report in 1974 and the early 2000s, after which reporting increased. To better understand this sustained emergence of ST shigellosis in the 21st century, we explored potential pathogen factors and linked these with changes in host populations. Specifically

SUBMITTER: Mason LCE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12824643 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature