A 25-year-old man in a developed country presents with bloody diarrhea and fever. Stool culture grows Shigella. Which species is the most common cause of shigellosis in high-income countries and exists as a single serotype?
- A Shigella dysenteriae
- B Shigella flexneri
- C Shigella sonnei ✓
- D Shigella boydii
Correct answer: C. Shigella sonnei
Explanation
Shigella sonnei is the most common cause of shigellosis in developed/high-income countries and exists as a single serotype. It causes milder disease than S. dysenteriae. S. flexneri predominates in developing countries with multiple serotypes. S. dysenteriae type 1 causes epidemic dysentery with Shiga toxin. S. boydii is uncommon and geographically restricted. The single serotype of S. sonnei simplifies vaccine target considerations.
Reference: Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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