Dysentery: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Definition

Dysentery = inflammatory diarrhea with blood & mucus, caused by colonic mucosal invasion.

Key Features

• Frequent small‑volume stools with blood, mucus, pus.
• Tenesmus (urgency + incomplete evacuation).
• Fever, abdominal cramps.
• Rapid dehydration risk.

Main Causes

• Shigella (bacillary dysentery) – Most common; toxin‑mediated invasion.
• Entamoeba histolytica (amebic dysentery) – Trophozoites invade mucosa; liver abscess risk.
• EIEC (enteroinvasive E. coli) – Similar to Shigella.
• Campylobacter, Salmonella, C. difficile – Can cause bloody diarrhea.

Diagnosis

• Stool culture, PCR panel, microscopy (RBCs, WBCs, cysts/trophozoites).

Treatment

• Shigella – Azithromycin or ciprofloxacin (resistance guided).
• Amebiasis – Metronidazole/tinidazole + luminal agent (paromomycin).
• Fluid/electrolyte replacement – ORS or IV.
• Antimotility agents contraindicated in bloody diarrhea (prolongs toxin exposure).

Prevention

• Safe water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH).
• Handwashing, food safety.