Pathogenicity and virulence of : A highly drug-resistant pathogen of increasing prevalence.

spp. are the causative agent of shigellosis (or bacillary dysentery), a diarrhoeal disease characterized for the bacterial invasion of gut epithelial cells. Among the 4 species included in the genus, is principally responsible for the disease in the developing world while is the main causative agent in high-income countries. Remarkably, as more countries improve their socioeconomic conditions, we observe an increase in the relative prevalence of . To date, the reasons behind this change in aetiology depending on economic growth are not understood. has been widely used as a model to study the pathogenesis of the genus, but as more research data are collected, important discrepancies with have come to light. In comparison to can be differentiated in numerous aspects; it presents a characteristic O-antigen identical to that of one serogroup of the environmental bacterium , a group 4 capsule, antibacterial mechanisms to outcompete and displace gut commensal bacteria, and a poorer adaptation to an intracellular lifestyle. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) have recognized the significant threat posed by antibiotic-resistant strains of , demanding new approaches. This review gathers knowledge on what is known about within the context of other spp. and aims to open the door for future research on understanding the increasing spread of this pathogen.