---
title: Shigella boydii
description: "The species of the genus *Shigella* are very similar by all methods of comparison with those of the genus *Escherichia*.  This microbe is a Gram negative, rod-shaped bacterium which is one of the world’s most common causes of the gastrointestinal…"
url: "https://vumicro.com/docs/shigella-boydii/"
updated: "2024-09-17"
category: Reference Library / Gram negative bacilli
---

# Shigella boydii

The species of the genus *Shigella* are very similar by all methods of comparison with those of the genus *Escherichia*.  This microbe is a Gram negative, rod-shaped bacterium which is one of the world’s most common causes of the gastrointestinal disease called shigellosis or bacterial dysentery (characterized by bloody diarrhea), responsible for over 100,000,000 cases and at least 100,000 deaths annually.  *Shigella boydii* is rarely found in the United States but is more common in undeveloped areas of the world. Complications can include rectal prolapse, joint pain, and a variety of other issues.  It is also associated with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome which can result in renal failure.  Victims can be humans and other primates, with occasional reports of infections in other mammals. Source of infection is fecal-oral, typically from contaminated water or food.   The rods are straight and nonmotile (unlike *Escherichia spp*.). And unlike most members of the Enterobacteriaceae they do not produce gas when fermenting sugars. Growth occurs optimally at 35-37 C.