Gastroenteritis in Japanese Females Caused by Shigella flexneri without Definite Infection Route: A Case Report and Mini-Review of Literature

Abstract

In Japan, the incidence of Shigellosis is low at approximately 150 cases per year, with the majority of these being imported, mainly from Asia. Sporadic domestic occurrences are also reported, the majority of which absent epidemiological association. We report a case of gastroenteritis caused by Shigella flexneri in a 60-year-old Japanese female who recovered fully following treatment with levofloxacin. While we were unable to identify the route of infection, we suspected imported frozen marine products that may have been handled or processed in an unsafe manner. Shigellosis should be included in the differential diagnosis when presented with a patient exhibiting symptoms of gastrointestinal infection, even in the absence of a history of travel to an endemic area.