Impact of Antibiotic Resistance on Public Health and Food Safety: A Review of Shigella Infections

Foodborne infections, particularly those caused by Shigella spp., pose a significant threat to global public health, with a disproportionate impact on underdeveloped regions.Shigella, responsible for acute enteric infections, particularly affects children under 5 years old in developing countries, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates.The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, fueled by indiscriminate antibiotic use in food production and clinical settings, further complicates the management of Shigella infections.Antibiotics play a pivotal role in animal husbandry and aquaculture, contributing to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food-producing animals and subsequent transmission to humans through the food chain.The emergence of plasmid-mediated resistance genes, such as mcr-1 conferring resistance to colistin, further exacerbates the problem of antibiotic resistance in Shigella infections.Addressing antibiotic resistance in Shigella infections requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing prudent antibiotic use, enhanced surveillance systems, and the development of alternative treatment modalities.In this review comprehensive analysis of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment options, and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Shigella infections was carried out.Various mechanisms underpin antibiotic resistance in Shigella, including enzymatic inactivation, target site modifications, and efflux pump systems, which diminish the efficacy of commonly used antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, βlactams, and sulfonamides.Moreover, the challenges associated with current treatment strategies are discussed, emphasizing the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches to combat multidrug-resistant Shigella infections.We have underscored the importance of continuous research and global collaboration to mitigate the impact of antibiotic resistance on public health and food safety, particularly in vulnerable populations.