Shigella is a genus of bacteria that causes diarrheal illness in humans. Shigella microbes are known to pass person to person and food can sometimes serve as a contamination source. Shigella were discovered over 100 years ago by a Japanese scientist named Shiga, for whom they are named.
There are several species of Shigella bacteria: Shigella sonnei, also known as “Group D” Shigella, accounts for over two-thirds of cases of shigellosis, a Shigella infection, in the U.S. Shigella flexneri, or “group B” Shigella, accounts for most of the other cases. Other types of Shigella are rare in U.S., though they continue to be important causes of disease in the developing world. Shigella dysenteriae which is fond in the developing world, can cause dysentery and has been responsible for numerous deadly epidemics.
Once someone has had shigellosis, they are not likely to get infected with that specific type again for at least several years. However, they can still get infected with other types of Shigella.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
