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Shigella |
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shigellaAny of the rod-shaped bacteria that make up the genus Shigella, which are normal inhabitants of the human intestinal tract and can cause dysentery, or shigellosis. Shigellae are gram-negative (see gram stain), non-spore-forming, stationary bacteria. S. dysenteriae, spread by contaminated water and food, causes the most severe dysentery because of its potent toxin, but other species may also be dysentery agents. Shigella a genus of microorganisms of the family Enterobacteriaceae. It comprises different species of the causative agent of dysentery in monkeys and humans. They are gram-negative, nonmotile, nonspore-forming rods measuring 2–3 micrometers long and 0.6 micrometer wide. Aerobes and facultative anaerobes are distinguished. Shigellae form delicate semitransparent colonies on agar. They are subdivided into different types according to the colicins they secrete. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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