In Shigella dysenteriae infection, which sequence of symptoms is commonly reported?

In Shigella dysenteriae infection, which sequence of symptoms is commonly reported?

• A. Severe vomiting followed by rash
• B. Mild abdominal pain progressing to bloody diarrhea with tenesmus
• C. Jaundice followed by pruritus
• D. Progressive weight gain with constipation

Answer: (B)

Shigella dysenteriae classically causes inflammatory colitis with bacillary dysentery. The commonly reported sequence starts with mild abdominal cramps or discomfort, then progresses to diarrhea that becomes bloody and contains mucus, often with tenesmus from rectal inflammation. This pattern reflects invasion of the colonic mucosa by Shigella and the subsequent inflammatory exudate and ulceration in the colon. Other sequences don’t fit this disease well: severe vomiting with rash isn’t the hallmark of bacillary dysentery, jaundice with pruritus suggests a liver/biliary issue, and weight gain with constipation isn’t consistent with an infectious diarrheal illness.

Shigella dysenteriae classically causes inflammatory colitis with bacillary dysentery. The commonly reported sequence starts with mild abdominal cramps or discomfort, then progresses to diarrhea that becomes bloody and contains mucus, often with tenesmus from rectal inflammation. This pattern reflects invasion of the colonic mucosa by Shigella and the subsequent inflammatory exudate and ulceration in the colon.

Other sequences don’t fit this disease well: severe vomiting with rash isn’t the hallmark of bacillary dysentery, jaundice with pruritus suggests a liver/biliary issue, and weight gain with constipation isn’t consistent with an infectious diarrheal illness.