Bacillary Dysentery

Communicable disease

2. Definition
•Bacillary dysentery is a type of dysentery caused by
Shigellosis.
•Bacillary dysentery is associated with species of bacteria
from the Enterobacteriaceaefamily. The term is usually
restricted to Shigellainfections.
•Shigellosisis caused by one of several types of Shigella
bacteria.
•Three species are associated with bacillary dysentery:
•Shigellasonnei,
•Shigellaflexneri
•Shigelladysenteriae.

3. •Salmonellosiscaused by Salmonella enterica(serovar
Typhimurium) has also been described as a cause of
bacillary dysentery, though this definition is less
common.
•It is sometimes listed as an explicit differential
diagnosisof bacillary dysentery, as opposed to a
cause.
•Bacillary dysentery should not be confused with
diarrheacaused by a bacterial infection.
•One characteristic of bacillary dysentery is blood in
stoolwhich is the result of invasion of the mucosa by
the pathogen.

4. Synonyms
Shigella
Shigella infection
Salmonella infection

5. Morphological Description of
Biologic Agent
Shigellaisagenusofgram-negative,non-spore
formingrod-shapedbacteriacloselyrelatedto
EscherichiaColiandSalmonella.
Thecausativeagentofhumanshigellosis,Shigella
causediseaseinprimates,butnotinothermammals.
Itisonlynaturallyfoundinhumansandapes.During
infection,ittypicallycausesdysentery.

6. Mode of Transmission
Shigella infection is typically via ingestion (fecal–
oral contamination); depending on age and
condition of the host as few as ten bacterial cells
can be enough to cause an infection.

7. Signs and Symptoms
Most people who are infected with Shigella develop
diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Severity of the disease ranges from mild to very severe
diarrhea.Diarrhea is bloody 25-50 percent of the time
and most often contains mucus. Rectal spasms are
common.
The illness starts 12 hours to 6 days, usually 1-2 days,
after exposure.Dehydration is also a common
symptom of Shigella infection.
Nausea or vomiting may also be experienced. Muscle
aches also occur. In some cases, white blood cell count
is lower than normal at the onset.

8. Diagnostics/Lab Tests
Your own observation of
symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam
by a doctor.
Laboratory stool culture.
Blood counts.

9. Period of Communicability
Shigellosis is spread during the acute infection
and until the infectious agent is no longer present
in feces. This can last as long as four weeks.
Asymptomatic carriers have the ability to
transmit disease.
The duration of carriage may be reduced with the
use of antibiotics.

10. Incubation Period
The incubation period may range from 12 to 96
hours (one to three days).

11. Outcome of Disease
Most shigella infections are mild and don't
require drastic treatment. However, in a severe
attack, excessive dehydration can be fatal
(especially in infants and young children) if
treatment is unsuccessful.

12. Treatment
Fluids and electrolyte replacement if excessive fluid loss
through diarrhea or vomiting.
Agents are not recommended as they may prolong the
course of disease.
Treatment is recommended for most symptomatic
patients. Use of antibiotics will shorten the period of fecal
excretion of the infecting strain and will shorten the
clinical course of disease often to a few days.
Antibiotics
-for adults and children, if the strain is susceptible,
are ciprofloxacin or TMP/SMX or azithromycin.
Antibiotic resistance frequently develops after treatment.

13. Control Measures
Good personal hygiene
Toilet hygiene
Wash soiled clothing and bed linen
Handling food
While you are suffering from diarrhea
you should not go to work/school.
Sanitation of food utensils