shigella

American  

[shi-gel-uh] / ʃɪˈgɛl ə /

noun

Bacteriology.

shigellae, plural shigellas plural

1. any of several rod-shaped aerobic bacteria of the genus Shigella, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans and other warm-blooded animals.

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shigella British  

/ ʃɪˈɡɛlə /

noun

1. any rod-shaped Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Shigella ; some species cause dysentery

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• shigellae
  plural
• shigellas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of shigella

< New Latin (1918), after Kiyoshi Shiga (1870–1957), Japanese scientist; see -ella

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shigella

Irwin Mitchell solicitors said its clients had reported contracting gastric illnesses such as E coli, salmonella and shigella, and parasitic infections such as cryptosporidium.

From BBC ● Apr. 7, 2026

Others had died from outbreaks of Covid-19, shigella and hepatitis A.

From New York Times ● May 13, 2023

Making available relatively clean and safe facilities promotes bladder and bowel health and prevents the spread of infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, shigella and influenza.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2023

Since then, 279 people experiencing homelessness have contracted shigella, a highly contagious bacterial disease that can have severe symptoms, making up 39% of all reported cases, according to Public Health – Seattle & King County.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 31, 2023

As few as 10 shigella germs can cause an infection—making the bacteria virtually undetectable as it quickly spreads in contaminated food and water or from person to person.

From Scientific American ● May 18, 2015