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Pathology

Human-only, non-motile gram negative rods. 

Aetiology

4 Shigella species (in descending order or severity): Shigella dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii, S. sonnei.
Incubation: 1-7 days.

Signs

Fever, dehydration. .

Symptoms

Severe prodrome: headache and abdominal pain. Diarrhoea.

Investigations

Microbiology: Stool culture

Treatment

Conservative: Usually self-limiting. 
Medical: Antibiotics reduce the severity and time course of the disease by about 
2 days and reduce infectivity

Prognosis

Excellent.  Faecal carriage continues for 3-4 weeks, and abdominal symptoms may persist for 4 -5 weeks.
Rectal prolapse, HUS, seizures in small children, reactive arthritis.

Key Facts

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Key Images

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Key References

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