Dysentery

Dysentery is a severe diarrheal illness often associated with blood in the feces.

It is caused by

• Bacteria called Shigella of which there are several types
• An amoeba called Entameba histolytica (this is called amoebic dysentery).

Shigellosis

The disease is often self-limited without antibiotic treatment. However treatment by antibiotics is usually recommended because:

• The disease is relatively severe
• It is transmitted by a small inoculum of organisms.
• Can be transmitted by fomites.
• It mainly persists in a human reservoir.
• Treated with Norfloxacin, ampicillin or cotrimaxozole.

Amoebic dysentery

• Often a travellers diarrhea but can occur in Western countries.
• Transmitted by contaminated water
• Can cause amoebic abscesses.
• Treated with metronidazole or related azole drugs.