biostudies-literatureIslam MTBill and Melinda Gates Foundatione0013644https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12614799biostudies-literatureUnknown19(11)<h4>Background</h4>This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of shigellosis among household contacts (HHCs) using data from the 'Enterics for Global Health (EFGH)' study, conducted at seven Asian and African countries.<h4>Methods</h4>In Bangladesh, the EFGH study was conducted in Maniknagar, Dhaka, to determine the burden of shigellosis among children aged 6-35 months. HHCs of Shigella-positive patients (index cases) were enrolled in this study. Stool specimens form contacts were collected within 7 days of enrollment of index cases and culture and qPCR were performed. Sociodemographic and behavioral information were obtained to identify risk factors.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 400 HHCs of 118 index cases were enrolled, of which 36 (9%) were positive for Shigella spp. by culture, while qPCR revealed 21% (42/200) of contacts had Shigella infections. Individuals who failed to reheat meals before consumption had a two-fold higher risk of shigellosis compared to those who reheated meals, although other sociodemographic and behavioral factors did not show any significant association.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The study revealed a high burden of asymptomatic Shigella-infected individuals, emphasizing the need for systematic surveillance to assess the burden and develop effective preventive strategies to prevent the spread of the disease.PLoS neglected tropical diseasesPrevalence of Shigellosis among household contacts of index cases in the EFGH catchment area, Dhaka, Bangladesh.PMC12614799INV-045988Hossen MIQadri FFiroj MGRajib MNHAhmmed FBhuiyan AIQudrat-E-Khuda SIslam MTBhuiyan MTRBiswas PKRaz SMAAIreen MMosharraf MPKhanam FfalsePrevalence of Shigellosis among household contacts of index cases in the EFGH catchment area, Dhaka, Bangladesh.<h4>Background</h4>This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of shigellosis among household contacts (HHCs) using data from the 'Enterics for Global Health (EFGH)' study, conducted at seven Asian and African countries.<h4>Methods</h4>In Bangladesh, the EFGH study was conducted in Maniknagar, Dhaka, to determine the burden of shigellosis among children aged 6-35 months. HHCs of Shigella-positive patients (index cases) were enrolled in this study. Stool specimens form contacts were collected within 7 days of enrollment of index cases and culture and qPCR were performed. Sociodemographic and behavioral information were obtained to identify risk factors.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 400 HHCs of 118 index cases were enrolled, of which 36 (9%) were positive for Shigella spp. by culture, while qPCR revealed 21% (42/200) of contacts had Shigella infections. Individuals who failed to reheat meals before consumption had a two-fold higher risk of shigellosis compared to those who reheated meals, although other sociodemographic and behavioral factors did not show any significant association.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The study revealed a high burden of asymptomatic Shigella-infected individuals, emphasizing the need for systematic surveillance to assess the burden and develop effective preventive strategies to prevent the spread of the disease.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-06-05T13:33:56.904Z2026-05-17T03:13:19.616ZS-EPMC126147994119688510.1371/journal.pntd.0013644