Shigella flexneri

Shigella flexneri is a species of Gram-negative bacteria in the genus Shigella that can cause shigellosis in humans. The bacterium is named after American bacteriologist Simon Flexner.

Taxonomy

Shigella flexneri is a member of the genus Shigella, which is a part of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The genus includes four species: Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, Shigella dysenteriae, and Shigella boydii.

Characteristics

Shigella flexneri is a non-motile, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacterium. It is oxidase-negative, and can ferment glucose but not lactose. The bacterium is facultatively anaerobic, meaning it can grow in both the presence and absence of oxygen.

Pathogenesis

Shigella flexneri is one of the causative agents of shigellosis, a form of bacterial gastroenteritis. The bacterium is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, and can cause disease in humans by invading the epithelial lining of the colon. This invasion leads to inflammation and damage to the intestinal tissue, resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.

Treatment

Treatment for Shigella flexneri infection typically involves rehydration and, in severe cases, antibiotics. However, resistance to common antibiotics is increasingly being reported, making treatment more challenging.

Prevention

Prevention of Shigella flexneri infection involves proper sanitation and hygiene practices, including handwashing and safe food handling. Vaccines are currently under development but are not yet widely available.

See also

• Shigella sonnei
• Shigella dysenteriae
• Shigella boydii
• Shigellosis
• Enterobacteriaceae