Shigella: Insights into the Clinical Features, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies

The most common childhood mortality and morbidity in developing countries are due to two major life-threatening diseases, namely, pneumonia and diarrheal diseases. ^1–3 The severe diarrheal diseases are caused by bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter), viruses (e.g., norovirus, astrovirus, and adenovirus), and parasites (e.g., Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium). ³ The intracellular pathogenic bacteria, Shigella and Salmonella, are the leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. ^4,5