There are reports in the news of antibiotic resistant strains of Shigella sonnei. How might antibiotic resistance arise in bacteria (see class notes and power points)? Over the past 60 years humanity has reaped invaluable benefits from advancements in health care and technology1. The average life span of people living in developed nations have increased as access cutting edge medicine is made readily available. Diseases such as small pox have been completely eradicated. And contraction of viral diseases like herpes, HIV/AID, polio, and shingles is no longer a swift death sentence, despite the fact a carrier may remain so for life. While noteworthy strides towards a healthier human race have been made we still have major obstacles to overcome.
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It can also be spread by direct contact with a carrier’s feces. Shigella can cause the infectious disease Shigellosis. Bacillary and Marlow Syndrome are two terms for Shigellosis in its more serve manifestation2. While, Shigella can occur in animals in rare instances, it is primarily a human aliment. Once Shigella has successfully infected its host, the host may experience a wide breadth of symptoms ranging from mild abdominal pain, to acute cramping, violent diarrhea and fever. Blood, pus, and mucus may be found in the stool of the host in more severe cases. Incubation period can be anywhere between 12 and 96 hours, and recovery may range from 5 to 7 days2. Shigella outbreaks may occur as a result of a food handler/server being a carrier and not practicing efficient hand washing techniques. Shigella can also be transmitted to large numbers of people via a contaminated water source. Less than satisfactory waste water treatment can easily lead to infection in a significant portion of populations that depend on said water source. Additionally, in rural areas in which outhouses may be used, Shigella has the opportunity to contaminate ground water. If a carrier of Shigella has a poorly designed or maintained outhouse they can shed the bacteria through their feces, which can result in contaminated well water and other nearby water sources such as lakes, streams and
It can also be spread by direct contact with a carrier’s feces. Shigella can cause the infectious disease Shigellosis. Bacillary and Marlow Syndrome are two terms for Shigellosis in its more serve manifestation2. While, Shigella can occur in animals in rare instances, it is primarily a human aliment. Once Shigella has successfully infected its host, the host may experience a wide breadth of symptoms ranging from mild abdominal pain, to acute cramping, violent diarrhea and fever. Blood, pus, and mucus may be found in the stool of the host in more severe cases. Incubation period can be anywhere between 12 and 96 hours, and recovery may range from 5 to 7 days2. Shigella outbreaks may occur as a result of a food handler/server being a carrier and not practicing efficient hand washing techniques. Shigella can also be transmitted to large numbers of people via a contaminated water source. Less than satisfactory waste water treatment can easily lead to infection in a significant portion of populations that depend on said water source. Additionally, in rural areas in which outhouses may be used, Shigella has the opportunity to contaminate ground water. If a carrier of Shigella has a poorly designed or maintained outhouse they can shed the bacteria through their feces, which can result in contaminated well water and other nearby water sources such as lakes, streams and