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Shigellosis causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Yazan Daaboul; Serge Korjian

Overview

Shigellosis is usually a foodborne or waterborne illness caused by an infection with Shigella species. Shigella is a gram-negative, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming rod.

Causes

Etiologic Agent

Shigellosis is usually a foodborne or waterborne illness caused by an infection with Shigella species.

  • There are 4 Shigella species that are responsible for development of Shigellosis:

Structure

  • Shigella is a gram-negative, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming rod.[1]
  • Shigella is closely related to E. coli, where both organisms are thought to be derived from similar vector plasmids. Unlike E. coli, Shigella cannot ferment lactose or decarboxylate lysine.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Hale, TL; Keusch, GT (1996). “Shigella. In: Baron S, editor. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition”. Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Retrieved 4 April 2015.

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