Sexually transmitted diarrhoea spreading rapidly among gay men in UK

Key Points:

• A University of Cambridge study found that sexually transmitted variants of Shigella, which cause dysentery, are spreading faster and becoming more antibiotic-resistant than other forms, with cases rising 15% faster annually between 2015 and 2020.
• Over 70% of sexually transmitted Shigella strains showed resistance to at least one relevant antibiotic, compared to 40% of non-sexually transmitted strains, highlighting a growing public health concern especially in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) communities.
• The study revealed that sexual transmission of Shigella now accounts for more than half of UK infections, with transmission primarily occurring through oral-anal contact, and emphasized the need for tailored surveillance, prevention, and treatment strategies distinct from traditional hygiene advice.
• Researchers linked the rise in sexually transmitted Shigella to factors such as dense sexual networks, multiple partners, chemsex parties, and online dating platforms, urging affected communities to seek medical care promptly and avoid sexual activity until fully recovered.
• The rapid increase in antibiotic resistance among sexually transmitted Shigella strains, some resistant to drugs used for other STIs like gonorrhoea, raises concerns about treatment efficacy and calls for heightened awareness and updated public health responses.