| Description | Shigella boydii is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that thrives in temperatures ranging from 25°C to 37°C, categorizing it as mesophilic. As a chemoheterotroph, it obtains its energy by breaking down organic compounds, specifically fermenting sugars, in the absence of light. This process yields lactic acid, ethanol, and carbon dioxide as byproducts. S. boydii is an anaerobic microbe, unable to tolerate oxygen and grows optimally in environments devoid of oxygen. The microbe's cell wall exhibits a characteristic Gram-negative staining pattern, comprising an outer membrane and a peptidoglycan layer. In terms of shape, S. boydii is a non-sporulating, non-motile rod, typically measuring 0.5-0.9 μm in width and 1.5-3.5 μm in length. It is found in various body sites, including the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and genitourinary system, in humans as well as certain animal species. S. boydii is an obligate anaerobe, requiring a strictly anaerobic environment to grow and reproduce. It is capable of producing a variety of enzymes, including lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, and phosphofructokinase, which facilitate its metabolic processes. Shigella boydii is a significant human pathogen, causing shigellosis, a diarrheal disease characterized by watery stools, fever, and abdominal cramps. The bacterium is highly infectious, with a single dose of as few as 10-100 bacteria sufficient to cause infection. It is often transmitted through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with an infected individual. Despite its pathogenic nature, S. boydii has contributed significantly to our understanding of bacterial metabolism and physiology. Its unique ability to thrive in anaerobic environments has made it a valuable model organism for studying anaerobic metabolism and the development of new antibiotics targeting anaerobic pathogens. |
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