Multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non-human primates in New Mexico, USA

Abstract Shigellosis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by species of Shigella. A large outbreak of Shigella flexneri serotype 2a occurred in Albuquerque, New Mexico between May 2021 and November 2023 that involved humans and non-human primates (NHP) from a local zoo. We analyzed the genomes of...

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Main Authors: Sarah Shrum Davis, Paris Salazar-Hamm, Karen Edge, Tim Hanosh, Jessica Houston, Anastacia Griego-Fisher, Francelli Lugo, Nicholas Wenzel, D’Eldra Malone, Carol Bradford, Kelly Plymesser, Michael Baker, Kurt Schwalm, Sarah Lathrop, Chad Smelser, Darrell L. Dinwiddie, Daryl Domman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59766-3
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author Sarah Shrum Davis
Paris Salazar-Hamm
Karen Edge
Tim Hanosh
Jessica Houston
Anastacia Griego-Fisher
Francelli Lugo
Nicholas Wenzel
D’Eldra Malone
Carol Bradford
Kelly Plymesser
Michael Baker
Kurt Schwalm
Sarah Lathrop
Chad Smelser
Darrell L. Dinwiddie
Daryl Domman
author_facet Sarah Shrum Davis
Paris Salazar-Hamm
Karen Edge
Tim Hanosh
Jessica Houston
Anastacia Griego-Fisher
Francelli Lugo
Nicholas Wenzel
D’Eldra Malone
Carol Bradford
Kelly Plymesser
Michael Baker
Kurt Schwalm
Sarah Lathrop
Chad Smelser
Darrell L. Dinwiddie
Daryl Domman
author_sort Sarah Shrum Davis
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Shigellosis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by species of Shigella. A large outbreak of Shigella flexneri serotype 2a occurred in Albuquerque, New Mexico between May 2021 and November 2023 that involved humans and non-human primates (NHP) from a local zoo. We analyzed the genomes of 202 New Mexican isolates as well as 15 closely related isolates from other states, and four from NHP. The outbreak was initially detected within men who have sex with men but then predominantly affected people experiencing homelessness. Nearly 70% of cases were hospitalized and there was one human death. The outbreak extended into Albuquerque’s BioPark Zoo, causing high morbidity and six deaths in NHPs. All isolates were multidrug-resistant, including towards fluoroquinolones, a first line treatment option which led to treatment failures in human and NHP populations. We show the circulation of the same S. flexneri strain in humans and NHPs, causing fatalities in both populations. This study demonstrates the threat of antimicrobial resistant organisms to vulnerable human and NHP populations and emphasizes the value of genomic surveillance within a One Health framework.
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spelling doaj-art-8a9247103a9f442b9213eff89df1a9622025-08-20T01:53:14ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-011611910.1038/s41467-025-59766-3Multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non-human primates in New Mexico, USASarah Shrum Davis0Paris Salazar-Hamm1Karen Edge2Tim Hanosh3Jessica Houston4Anastacia Griego-Fisher5Francelli Lugo6Nicholas Wenzel7D’Eldra Malone8Carol Bradford9Kelly Plymesser10Michael Baker11Kurt Schwalm12Sarah Lathrop13Chad Smelser14Darrell L. Dinwiddie15Daryl Domman16Infectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau, New Mexico Department of HealthBiology Department, University of New MexicoInfectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau, New Mexico Department of HealthInfectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau, New Mexico Department of HealthInfectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau, New Mexico Department of HealthScientific Laboratory Division, New Mexico Department of HealthCity of Albuquerque Environmental HealthScientific Laboratory Division, New Mexico Department of HealthScientific Laboratory Division, New Mexico Department of HealthCity of Albuquerque BioParkInfectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau, New Mexico Department of HealthInfectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau, New Mexico Department of HealthDepartment of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico Health Sciences CenterUniversity of New Mexico Emerging Infections Program, Office for Community HealthInfectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau, New Mexico Department of HealthClinical and Translational Science Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences CenterClinical and Translational Science Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences CenterAbstract Shigellosis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by species of Shigella. A large outbreak of Shigella flexneri serotype 2a occurred in Albuquerque, New Mexico between May 2021 and November 2023 that involved humans and non-human primates (NHP) from a local zoo. We analyzed the genomes of 202 New Mexican isolates as well as 15 closely related isolates from other states, and four from NHP. The outbreak was initially detected within men who have sex with men but then predominantly affected people experiencing homelessness. Nearly 70% of cases were hospitalized and there was one human death. The outbreak extended into Albuquerque’s BioPark Zoo, causing high morbidity and six deaths in NHPs. All isolates were multidrug-resistant, including towards fluoroquinolones, a first line treatment option which led to treatment failures in human and NHP populations. We show the circulation of the same S. flexneri strain in humans and NHPs, causing fatalities in both populations. This study demonstrates the threat of antimicrobial resistant organisms to vulnerable human and NHP populations and emphasizes the value of genomic surveillance within a One Health framework.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59766-3
spellingShingle Sarah Shrum Davis
Paris Salazar-Hamm
Karen Edge
Tim Hanosh
Jessica Houston
Anastacia Griego-Fisher
Francelli Lugo
Nicholas Wenzel
D’Eldra Malone
Carol Bradford
Kelly Plymesser
Michael Baker
Kurt Schwalm
Sarah Lathrop
Chad Smelser
Darrell L. Dinwiddie
Daryl Domman
Multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non-human primates in New Mexico, USA
Nature Communications
title Multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non-human primates in New Mexico, USA
title_full Multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non-human primates in New Mexico, USA
title_fullStr Multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non-human primates in New Mexico, USA
title_full_unstemmed Multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non-human primates in New Mexico, USA
title_short Multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non-human primates in New Mexico, USA
title_sort multidrug resistant shigella flexneri outbreak affecting humans and non human primates in new mexico usa
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59766-3
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