
Sexual transmission fuels rapid Shigella spread and resistance in the UK
A Cambridge-led study of UK Shigella cases (2004–2020) shows sexually transmitted strains, concentrated among GBMSM, spreading more than twice as fast and becoming antibiotic-resistant much faster than non-sexually transmitted ones. About 70% of sexually transmitted strains resist at least one antibiotic, underscoring the need for targeted surveillance, tailored prevention, and different treatment approaches beyond standard hygiene advice.
