Since the typical fecal specimen is not sterile, the use of selective plates is mandatory. XLD agar, DCA agar, or Hektoen enteric agar are inoculated; all give colorless colonies as the organism is not a lactose fermenter. Inoculation of a TSI slant shows an alkaline slant and acidic, but with no gas, or H 2S production. Following incubation on SIM, the culture appears nonmotile with no H 2S production. Addition of Kovac's reagent to the SIM tube following growth typically indicates no indole formation (serotypes 2, 7, and 8 produce indole[5]).
Mannitol tests yields negative results.[4] Ornithine Decarboxylase tests yield negative results.[4]
Shigella infections may be contracted by a lack of monitoring of water and food quality, unsanitary cooking conditions and improper hygiene practices.[6]S. dysenteriae spreads through contaminated water and food, causes minor dysentery because of its Shiga toxin, but other species may also be dysentery agents.[7]S. dysenteriae releases an exotoxin that compromises the gut and central nervous system.[4] If acting as an enterotoxin, diarrhea will occur. When acting as a neurotoxin, severe cases of shigellosis are developed, inducing comas and meningismus.[4]
Contamination is often caused by bacteria on unwashed hands during food preparation, or soiled hands reaching the mouth.[citation needed]
^ abcRyan, Kenneth James (2018). "Chapter 33: Enterobacteriaceae". Sherris Medical Microbiology (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional Med/Tech.
^ abcdefKaren C. Carroll; Jeffery A. Hobden; Steve Miller; Stephen A. Morse; Timothy A. Mietzner; Barbara Detrick; Thomas G. Mitchell; James H. McKerrow; Judy A. Sakanari (2016). "Chapter 15: Enteric Gram-Negative Rods (Enterobacteriaceae)". Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology (27 ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional Med/Tech.
^Germani, Y.; Sansonetti, P.J. (2006). "Chapter 3.3.6: The Genus Shigella". In Dworkin, M. (editor-in-chief) (ed.). The Prokaryotes: Proteobacteria: gamma subclass. Vol. 6 (3rd ed.). Springer. pp. 99–122. doi:10.1007/0-387-30746-x_6. ISBN0-387-25496-X. {{cite book}}: |editor1-first= has generic name (help)
^Justin L. Kaplan MD; Robert S. Porter MD (2018). Larry M. Bush,MD (ed.). Merck Manual Consumer Version.