Sexually transmitted diarrhea triggers and alerts authorities

Shigellosis is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria of the Shigella genus. Extremely contagious, it usually causes intense diarrhea, which may be accompanied by blood, as well as abdominal cramps, fever and nausea. Worldwide, it is estimated that the disease is responsible for more than 200,000 deaths per year.

According to figures from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the country recorded 2,560 cases of the infection in 2025, compared to 2,052 in 2023. The increase of approximately 25% raised the alarm signal, especially as more than half of the notifications occurred in London.

A study published on July 8 by researchers at the University of Cambridge identified that strains transmitted through sexual contact are spreading more quickly than those acquired through other forms of contagion. Scientists have also observed that these variants show higher levels of resistance to available drugs.

How does transmission occur? Most often, shigellosis is contracted by ingesting water or food contaminated by feces or by contact with infected surfaces. However, the bacteria can also be transmitted during sexual practices that involve contact with fecal material, especially anal sex.

The research analyzed 3,514 samples of the bacteria and found that around a third of cases were related to sexual transmission between men who have sex with men. Another third was associated with other forms of infection, while the remaining records were linked to travel to regions in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Resistance worries expertsAlthough many patients recover with hydration and rest alone, more serious conditions require treatment with antibiotics. The problem is that strains associated with sexual transmission are showing increasing resistance to these medications.

According to geneticist Kate Baker, main author of the study and researcher at the University of Cambridge, around 70% of the sexually transmitted infections analyzed were resistant to at least one antibiotic, a higher percentage than that observed in other types of infection.

For researchers, this scenario represents a growing threat to public health and requires reinforcement of prevention, diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance strategies.

UKHSA experts also recommend that people belonging to the most affected groups adopt strict hygiene measures and seek medical attention when experiencing symptoms such as severe diarrhea, blood in the stool, fever or persistent abdominal pain.

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