Shigella is a Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium capable of causing disease in humans. Disease occurs when virulent Shigella organisms are consumed and invade the intestinal mucosa, resulting in tissue destruction. There are four different groups of Shigella species: Shigella dysenteriae (group A), Shigella flexneri (group B), Shigella boydii (group C), and Shigella sonnei (group D). Shigellosis is characterized in humans by sudden and severe diarrheal (gastroenteritis or bacillary dysentery), which is often bloody. Most infected people also develop fever and stomach cramps within 1–2 days after exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms typically last 5–7 days, and most shigellosis cases resolve without need for hospitalization.
Shigella is found in the stool (feces) of infected people, in food or water contaminated by an infected person, and on surfaces that have been touched by infected people. Shigellosis often occurs in toddlers who are not fully toilet-trained. Family members and playmates of children infected with Shigella are at high risk of becoming infected. Shigella can spread easily in environments such as day care facilities. People become infected with Shigella by:
How to preventing Shigella infections?