A test for the rapid detection of Shigella bacteria, the causative agent of shigellosis (bacillary dysentery), has been developed at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, the press service of the State Agency reports.
“The new test makes it possible to detect the presence of infection in just 25-30 minutes, which significantly speeds up the diagnostic process compared to traditional methods. At the same time, high accuracy is achieved: the test allows detecting even minimal amounts of pathogens in samples of biological material,” the report says.
The Agency emphasizes that rapid diagnosis is essential for timely anti-epidemic measures, as well as for identifying sources of infection and isolating patients. The development was carried out as part of the federal project “Sanitary Shield of the Country — Safety for Health.”
Shigellosis is an acute intestinal infection caused by Shigella bacteria, with symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea appearing 1-7 days after exposure. It is transmitted through contaminated food or water, making young children and people with weakened immune systems particularly vulnerable to severe complications like dehydration. Treatment primarily involves hydration and rest, with antibiotics prescribed in severe cases.
