Shigellosis Follow-up

  • Author: Joyann A Kroser, MD; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 5, 2011
 

Deterrence/Prevention

A vaccine for shigellosis is not currently available. Until a vaccine is available, the following measures can help prevent the dissemination of shigellosis:

  • Use of safe drinking water
  • Chlorination of unreliable water sources
  • Strict handwashing
  • Refrigeration and proper preparation and cooking of food
    • Food handlers must be treated with antibiotics and should not be involved in food preparation as long as stool cultures are positive for Shigella infection.
    • At least 48 hours of antibiotic treatment are usually required.
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Complications

  • Chronic carriers of shigellosis are unusual.
  • See Mortality/Morbidity.
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Prognosis

  • Postinfection carriage is generally less than 3-4 weeks.
  • Mild cramps and diarrhea may continue for many days to weeks after treatment of shigellosis.
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Patient Education

  • Careful handwashing and stool precautions should prevent the dissemination of shigellosis.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Joyann A Kroser, MD  Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, Drexel University College of Medicine

Joyann A Kroser, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Philadelphia County Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ronnie Fass, MD, FACP, FACG  Chief of Gastroenterology, Head of Neuroenteric Clinical Research Group, Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System; Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Arizona School of Medicine

Ronnie Fass, MD, FACP, FACG is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Gastroenterological Association, American Motility Society, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Israel Medical Association

Disclosure: Takeda Pharmaceuticals Grant/research funds Conducting research; Takeda Pharmaceuticals Consulting fee Consulting; Takeda Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Vecta Consulting fee Consulting; XenoPort Consulting fee Consulting; Eisai Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Conducting research; AstraZeneca Grant/research funds Conducting research; Eisai Consulting fee Consulting

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Aaron Glatt, MD  Professor of Clinical Medicine, New York Medical College; President and CEO, Former Chief Medical Officer, Departments of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, St Joseph Hospital (formerly New Island Hospital)

Aaron Glatt, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Thoracic Society, American Venereal Disease Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, International AIDS Society, and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP  Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References
  1. Dupont HL, Edelman R, Kimmey M. Infectious diarrhea: from E coli to Vibrio. Patient Care. 1990;30:18-43.

  2. Al-Abri SS, Beeching NJ, Nye FJ. Traveller's diarrhoea. Lancet Infect Dis. Jun 2005;5(6):349-60. [Medline].

  3. Moralez EI, Lofland D. Shigellosis with resultant septic shock and renal failure. Clin Lab Sci. Summer 2011;24(3):147-52. [Medline].

  4. Kroser JA, Metz DC. Evaluation of the adult patient with diarrhea. Prim Care. Sep 1996;23(3):629-47. [Medline].

  5. Banerjee S, LaMont JT. Treatment of gastrointestinal infections. Gastroenterology. Feb 2000;118(2 Suppl 1):S48-67. [Medline].

  6. Murphy GS, Bodhidatta L, Echeverria P, et al. Ciprofloxacin and loperamide in the treatment of bacillary dysentery. Ann Intern Med. Apr 15 1993;118(8):582-6. [Medline].

  7. Wolf DC, Gianella RA. Invasive pathogens. Consultations in Gastroenterology. 1996;381-384.

  8. Sivapalasingam S, Nelson JM, Joyce K, et al. High prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among Shigella isolates in the United States tested by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System from 1999 to 2002. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. Jan 2006;50(1):49-54. [Medline].

  9. Vinh H, Anh VT, Anh ND, Campbell JI, Hoang NV, Nga TV, et al. A multi-center randomized trial to assess the efficacy of gatifloxacin versus ciprofloxacin for the treatment of shigellosis in Vietnamese children. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. Aug 2011;5(8):e1264. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  10. Policar M. Shigellosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 2005:752-754.

  11. Taneja N. Changing epidemiology of shigellosis and emergence of ciprofloxacin-resistant Shigellae in India. J Clin Microbiol. Feb 2007;45(2):678-9. [Medline].

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