Definition

Noun: A genus of rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non-motile bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. These bacteria are the causative agents of shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) in humans and other primates. Some species can be used as biological weapons.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The presence of shigella in the water supply caused a major outbreak of dysentery.
  • Laboratory tests confirmed the infection was caused by Shigella sonnei.
  • Public health officials are monitoring for cases of shigella infection.

Advanced Usage

• "Shigella" as an uncountable noun (referring to the genus or infection): Often used in medical and public health contexts to refer to the bacteria collectively or the disease they cause.
  • Shigella is highly contagious and spreads through the fecal-oral route.
  • The hospital reported an increase in shigella cases this summer.

Variants and Related Words

• Shigellosis (n): The medical term for the infectious disease caused by bacteria, characterized by severe diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
  • Symptoms of shigellosis typically begin one to two days after exposure.
• Shigella dysenteriae (n): A specific serotype of known for causing severe dysentery and producing Shiga toxin.

Synonyms

• Enteric pathogen: A pathogen that infects the intestines.
• Dysentery bacillus: A historical term for the bacteria causing bacillary dysentery.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Shigella outbreak: A sudden occurrence of many cases of shigellosis in a community.
  • The daycare center was closed due to a Shigella outbreak.
• Shigella toxin: Refers to the Shiga toxin produced by type 1.
  • Shigella toxin can cause severe complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Noun

1. rod-shaped Gram-negative enterobacteria; some are pathogenic for warm-blooded animals; can be used as a bioweapon