Shigella is a genus of Gram-negative, non-spore forming rod-shaped bacteria closely related to Escherichia coli and Salmonella.

Shigella species are classified by four serogroups:

• Serogroup A: S. dysenteriae (12 serotypes)
• Serogroup B: S. flexneri (6 serotypes)
• Serogroup C: S. boydii (23 serotypes)
• Serogroup D: S. sonnei (1 serotype)
  

Shigella causes dysentery that results in the destruction of the epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa in the cecum and rectum. Some strains produce enterotoxin and Shiga toxin, similar to the verotoxin of E. coli O157:H7 (1). Both Shiga toxin and verotoxin are associated with causing hemolytic uremic syndrome.

(1) Hale TL, Keusch GT (1996). Shigella. in: Baron’s Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al., eds.) (4th ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch.

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