Shigellosis

Abstract

Shigecllosis is an infectious disease caused by Shigellae, which are bacilli with capacity to invade the mucosa of the colon and less frequently the ileum. The disease occurs spora-dically and in epidemics with mild to severe clinical manifestations. The principal symptoms in severe cases (bacillary dysentery) are abdominal cramps, fever, tenesmus, and diarrhoea. Toxicosis and dehydration are common in young children. Asymptomatic infections (healthy carriers) are rare; convalescent carriers are common, particularly in children with growth retardation or protein-energy malnutrition