Picture 22
This picture shows Shigella dysenteriae cultured in MacConkey's agar.
Shigella dysenteriae
Morphology: Gram negative cocci that do not ferment lactose, do not produce spores and is motile
Route of transmission: Food, fingers, flies, faeces
Investigations: Gram stain, organism cultured on MacConkey's agar and Triple Sugar Iron (TSI) medium
Diseases:
Usually mild watery diarrhea in developed countries and severe "bacillary dysentery" in developing countries
Treatment:
No antibiotics are given in mild cases
In severe cases, ciprofloxacin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is prescribed