Find in Library

Shigellosis is a severe gastrointestinal disease that annually affects approximately 270 million individuals globally. It has particularly high morbidity and mortality in low-income regions; however, it is not confined to these regions and occurs in high-income nations when conditions allow. The ill effects of shigellosis are at their highest in children ages 2 to 5, with survivors often exhibiting impaired growth due to infection-induced malnutrition. The escalating threat of antibiotic resistance further amplifies shigellosis as a serious public health concern. This review explores <i>Shigella</i> pathology, with a primary focus on the status of <i>Shigella</i> vaccine candidates. These candidates include killed whole-cells, live attenuated organisms, LPS-based, and subunit vaccines. The strengths and weaknesses of each vaccination strategy are considered. The discussion includes potential <i>Shigella</i> immunogens, such as LPS, conserved T3SS proteins, outer membrane proteins, diverse animal models used in <i>Shigella</i> vaccine research, and innovative vaccine development approaches. Additionally, this review addresses ongoing challenges that necessitate action toward advancing effective <i>Shigella</i> prevention and control measures.