[Shigellosis in Moscow: new trends in the epidemiological process and their social determinants].

In Moscow for a long time morbidity in acute enteric infections, and in Shigella infections as their main constituent, steadily decreased. In recent years the opposite tendency was noted: a rise in morbidity. A pronounced tendency for Shigella infections, especially Flexner's dysentery, to affect older ages was observed. New risk groups, including adults busy in "shuttle" commerce and different asocial elements, appeared. The number of lethal cases considerably increased. Unusual manifestations of the epidemic process are socially determined and reflect a decrease in the living standards of the population, sharp social changes in its way of life and social instability in the country. Sporadic morbidity with low focality prevails. The so-called chronic multifactor alimentary route of infection transmission is mainly realized; its neutralization presents great objective difficulties.