Intensified shigellosis epidemic associated with sexual transmission in men who have sex with men--Shigella flexneri and S. sonnei in England, 2004 to end of February 2015

Euro Surveill. 2015 Apr 16;20(15):21097. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.15.21097.

Abstract

Surveillance data suggest an intensification of the shigellosis epidemic associated with sexual transmissionin men who have sex with men (MSM) in England with separate introductions into the population. In 2014, sexual transmission between MSM might have accounted for 97%, 89%, and 43% of non-travel associated Shigella flexneri 3a and S. flexneri 2a, andS. sonnei diagnoses. Clinicians should sensitively ascertain sexual history for men with enteric infections to facilitate prompt diagnosis and appropriate management.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Dysentery, Bacillary / diagnosis
  • Dysentery, Bacillary / epidemiology*
  • Dysentery, Bacillary / transmission
  • England / epidemiology
  • Epidemics*
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual Partners
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / microbiology
  • Shigella flexneri / isolation & purification*
  • Shigella sonnei / isolation & purification*
  • Young Adult