Shigellosis: antibiotics should be strictly reserved for severe disease and cases at very high risk of onward transmission

Authors

  • Dr Bhakti R Vasant Metro South Public Health Unit, Building 5, 2404 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, QLD 4113; School of Public Health, University of Queensland, 266 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006; School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, 1 Parkland Drive, Southport, QLD 4215
  • Dr Mark Stickley Metro South Public Health Unit, Building 5, 2404 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, QLD 4113; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006
  • Assoc. Prof. Megan Young School of Public Health, University of Queensland, 266 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006; School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, 1 Parkland Drive, Southport, QLD 4215; Metro North Public Health Unit, Building 4, Rosemount Campus, Bryden St, Windsor, QLD 4030
  • Dr Kate Alexander Gold Coast Public Health Unit, Building 1, Carrara Health Precinct, Carrara, QLD 4217
  • Mr Robert Bell Public Health Intelligence Branch, Queensland Health, 15 Butterfield Street, Herston, QLD 4006
  • Assoc. Prof. Amy V Jennison Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories, Queensland Health. 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108
  • Dr Rikki Graham Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories, Queensland Health. 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108
  • Dr Asha Kakkanat Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories, Queensland Health. 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108
  • Dr Russell Stafford Public Health Intelligence Branch, Queensland Health, 15 Butterfield Street, Herston, QLD 4006

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2026.50.026

Keywords:

antimicrobial resistance, public health, shigellosis

Abstract

Increasing rates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella have been detected worldwide. This retrospective review of shigellosis notifications in Southeast Queensland found that XDR Shigella accounted for 48% of notifications. Antimicrobial treatment should be reserved for individuals with severe disease, immunocompromise or high risk of onward transmission.

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References

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Published

24/03/26

How to Cite

Vasant, Bhakti, Mark Stickley, Megan Young, Kate Alexander, Robert Bell, Amy Jennison, Rikki Graham, Asha Kakkanat, and Russell Stafford. 2026. “Shigellosis: Antibiotics Should Be Strictly Reserved for Severe Disease and Cases at Very High Risk of Onward Transmission”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 50 (March). https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2026.50.026.

Issue

Vol. 50 (2026)

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