[Editorial] Counteracting the rise of antimicrobial resistance in Shigella

Shigella is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes shigellosis, characterized by intestinal symptoms. Shigellosis is among the leading causes of diarrheal disease deaths worldwide, particularly in children under 5 years of age. This infection disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, where transmission occurs mainly through the fecal-oral route due to poor water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions. Shigella is divided into four main species: S. dysenteriae, S. boydii, S. flexneri, and S. sonnei, all of which have multiple serotypes except S. flexneri.