Definition

Noun * Shigella dysenteriae: A specific, rod-shaped bacterium (Shigella dysenteriae type 1) that is a primary causative agent of severe bacillary dysentery (shigellosis) in humans. It is notable for producing a potent toxin (Shiga toxin).

Usage and Examples

• The Shiga bacillus is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food or water.
• Infection with the Shiga bacillus can lead to severe abdominal cramps, fever, and bloody diarrhea.
• Laboratory confirmation is required to distinguish dysentery caused by the Shiga bacillus from other gastrointestinal infections.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in medical and microbiological contexts to specify the most virulent serotype of the genus. It is frequently associated with epidemics and more severe clinical outcomes compared to other species.

Variants and Related Words

• Shigella (n): The genus name for the group of bacteria that cause shigellosis, which includes the Shiga bacillus () as well as other species like and .
• Shiga toxin (n): The potent cytotoxin produced by the Shiga bacillus (and some strains of ), responsible for much of the severe damage associated with the infection.
• Bacillary dysentery (n): The medical term for the disease caused by bacteria of the genus, including the Shiga bacillus.

Synonyms

• (scientific name)
• Shigella (in specific context, though this is a broader term for the genus)

Notes on Meaning

This term refers specifically to a single, identified bacterial pathogen. It is not a general term for any bacillus or for dysentery itself, but for the precise causative organism.

Noun

1. a bacillus that causes dysentery