SHIGELLA FLEXNERI Meaning and
Definition
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Shigella flexneri is a species of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterial pathogens belonging to the genus Shigella. It is known to cause shigellosis, a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and sometimes dysentery. Shigella flexneri is primarily responsible for causing endemic shigellosis in humans, particularly in developing countries with poor sanitation and hygiene conditions.
This bacterium has various distinctive features that aid in its pathogenicity. It possesses a type III secretion system, which allows it to inject proteins into host cells, disrupting their functions and facilitating invasion. Shigella flexneri also produces a family of virulence plasmids that contribute to its ability to cause disease. These plasmids encode factors such as invasion proteins, toxin production, and antibiotic resistance.
Transmission of Shigella flexneri most commonly occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, or via direct person-to-person contact. Once inside the gastrointestinal tract, this pathogen invades the colon's epithelial cells, leading to inflammation, cell death, and the release of toxins. This results in the symptoms associated with shigellosis.
Treatment for Shigella flexneri infections typically involves antibiotics; however, resistance to multiple drugs has become a growing concern. Prevention strategies include maintaining proper personal hygiene, adequate sanitation, and safe food handling practices. Optimal handwashing techniques and proper disinfection of surfaces are crucial in preventing the spread of this bacterium.
Common Misspellings for SHIGELLA FLEXNERI
- ahigella flexneri
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- shkgella flexneri
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- sh8gella flexneri
- shifella flexneri
- shivella flexneri
Etymology of SHIGELLA FLEXNERI
The word "Shigella" comes from the name of Kiyoshi Shiga, a Japanese physician who discovered the bacterium. He first identified the organism responsible for causing dysentery during an outbreak in Japan in 1897. The genus Shigella was named in his honor.
The term "flexneri" honors Simon Flexner, an American pathologist and bacteriologist. Flexner was instrumental in the development of diagnostic methods for identifying dysentery-causing bacteria and contributed significantly to the understanding of Shigella flexneri. The specific epithet "flexneri" was named after him to acknowledge his research and contributions to the field.
Therefore, "Shigella flexneri" is named after both Kiyoshi Shiga and Simon Flexner, who made important contributions to the study and understanding of dysentery-causing bacteria.
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