Plesiomonas shigelloides exhibits a global presence, with a higher prevalence observed in subtropical & tropical regions. Its peak incidence typically occurs during the summer and autumn seasons. The bacterium thrives in environments with a minimum temperature of 8ºC and the absence of salt, which restricts its habitat to freshwater sources, shellfish, freshwater fish, and various animal hosts, including swine, cattle, goats, cats, vultures, dogs, monkeys, toads, snakes, and humans. Outbreaks of diarrheal illness have been linked to water and food items containing P. shigelloides, particularly oysters.
The prevalence of P. shigelloides infection varies by geographic region and season. Studies conducted across different countries have reported varying incidence rates. For instance, research from 2004 to 2008 in Ecuador documented the presence of P. shigelloides in 3.1% of stool samples from diarrheal patients and 2.5% of control samples. In Thailand, a study spanning 2000 to 2006 identified the bacterium in 1.8% of stool samples from individuals with diarrhea and 0.7% of samples from healthy individuals.
Similarly, studies in Brazil (1997-2006), Japan (1996-2005), and the United States (1982-1988) found varying rates of isolation of P. shigelloides from stool samples of patients with diarrhea and controls. Despite regional variations, contaminated water, and seafood consumption remain pivotal factors contributing to the transmission of P. shigelloides infections.
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Pseudomonadota
Class: Gammaproteobacteria
Order: Enterobacterales
Family: Enterobacteriaceae
Genus: Plesiomonas
Species: Plesiomonas shigelloides
Plesiomonas shigelloides is a gram-negative, bacillus or rod-shaped bacterium with a thick peptidoglycan layered cell wall.
It typically measures about 0.3-1.0 µm in width and 0.6-6.0 µm in length. The presence of polar flagella enables its movement in liquid environments.
It does not produce spores. Notably, P. shigelloides exhibit versatility in oxygen requirements, capable of growth with or without oxygen as a facultative anaerobe.
The O and H antigens of P. shigelloides are pivotal components that play integral roles in its pathogenicity. These antigens are encoded by genes situated in distinct regions of the bacterial chromosome. The O antigen genes are positioned between the rep and aqpZ genes, while the H antigen genes are located closely at the origin of replication.
Additionally, P. shigelloides harbors significant virulence factors such as lysophospholipase, which can hydrolyze lysophospholipids in cell membranes, and a phospholipase A1 effector protein, designated as plaA, associated with the type VI secretion system. The twin-arginine translocation system, involving genes like tatC, tatA, tatB, & tatD, enables the transport of folded proteins across the bacterial membrane, enhancing its pathogenic potential.
The bacterium also produces various effector proteins with significant roles in its virulence. Notably, the lysophospholipase encoded by the lplA gene and the phospholipase A1 effector protein (plaA) associated with the type VI secretion system contributes to its pathogenic effects on host cell membranes.
Several strains of P. shigelloides have been isolated from human infections, each associated with distinct clinical manifestations. The P-1 strain (O17:H2) produces a cytotoxin that damages host cells by forming pores in their membranes. The P-2 strain (O54:H2) is linked to septicemia and carries a phospholipase A1 effector protein that cleaves phospholipids in cell membranes.
The P-3 strain (O1:H1a1c) induces diarrhea by producing heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins. The P-4 strain (O6:H5) causes meningitis and produces heat-labile and heat-stable toxins, mimicking cholera toxin’s effects. The P-5 strain (O18:H8) contributes to peritonitis by producing a repeats-in-toxin protein that mediates cytotoxicity through host cell receptor binding.
P. shigelloides employs a multifaceted approach to initiate infection. The bacterium adheres to and invades intestinal epithelial cells by utilizing its flagella, pili, and other surface molecules. This ability allows it to traverse the intestinal barrier, gaining access to the bloodstream and other organs, potentially leading to systemic infection.
P. shigelloides is adept at producing an array of toxins that harm host cells and tissues. Among these toxins are hemolysins, enterotoxins, cholera-like toxins, endotoxins, repeats-in-toxin protein, and lysophospholipase. These virulence factors induce pore formation, fluid secretion, inflammation, cytotoxicity, and necrosis, collectively contributing to the onset of symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.
The bacterium has diverse secretion systems, including the type VI secretion system. This system facilitates the injection of effector proteins into host cells or competing bacteria, enabling P. shigelloides to modulate host immune responses and enhance its survival and virulence. Notably, the phospholipase A1 effector protein carried by the type VI secretion system contributes to the disruption of cell membranes.
P. shigelloides exhibits a concerning trait of antibiotic resistance, possessing genes that confer resistance to various antibiotics such as beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and quinolones. This resistance further complicates treatment strategies and underscores the need to manage infections caused by this bacterium carefully.
Innate Immunity: The initial host defense involves innate immunity, encompassing physical barriers (epithelial surfaces, mucous membranes) and specialized cells like phagocytes, natural killer cells, and complement proteins.
These elements recognize P. shigelloides and counteract it through phagocytosis, where neutrophils and macrophages engulf and neutralize the bacterium. Complement activation bolsters the immune response by coating pathogens and constructing membrane attack complexes, while inflammation orchestrates immune cells and mediators to the infection site for control.
Cell-Mediated Immunity: T cells recognize antigens presented by other cells. Helper T cells release cytokines directing immune actions, including antibody production and macrophage activation. Cytotoxic T cells identify infected cells and trigger apoptosis, curbing P. shigelloides‘ spread.
Adaptive Immunity: Adaptive immunity generates specific responses against P. shigelloides. B cells manufacture antibodies binding to and neutralizing bacterium antigens. Antibodies facilitate opsonization, prompt phagocytosis, or initiate complement pathways. Crucially, T cells – helper and cytotoxic – contribute. Helper T cells secrete cytokines directing immune responses, while cytotoxic T cells induce infected cell apoptosis.
Plesiomonas shigelloides, a bacterium often associated with consuming raw seafood, can lead to human enteric disease. The clinical manifestations of P. shigelloides infection encompass a range of symptoms. While the bacterium has been identified from the feces of people with and without diarrhea or vomiting or gastroenteritis, the precise link between P. shigelloides and these illnesses remains to be definitively established.
Symptoms commonly observed include watery diarrhea, typically non-bloody and occasionally containing mucus, accompanied by mild to high fever. Abdominal discomfort and pain, nausea, vomiting, chills, shivering, musculoskeletal pain, and headache may also manifest.
These symptoms generally emerge within 24 hours following ingestion and persist for 24 to 48 hours. Notably, P. shigelloides-induced infections are typically self-limiting in nature, often resolving without the need for specific medical treatment. However, oral rehydration therapy is recommended to counteract the risk of dehydration, thus promoting recovery.
Culture method: P. shigelloides on media like sheep blood agar, MacConkey agar, deoxycholate agar, Hektoen agar, and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar. Non-hemolytic colonies with distinct characteristics – gray, shiny, smooth, opaque, and slightly raised in the center – indicate P. shigelloides.
Biochemical tests: Key biochemical reactions, including oxidase positivity, indole positivity, non-lactose fermentation, glucose and inositol fermentation, and arginine, lysine, and ornithine decarboxylation, aid in accurate identification. Confirmatory tests through serological or molecular methods enhance diagnostic precision. Notably, the oxidase test helps differentiate Plesiomonas from Shigella in diarrheal stools.
Serology: Serological tests assess the presence of antibodies or antigens in body fluids using techniques such as agglutination, ELISA, immunofluorescence, or immunochromatographic assay. These tests facilitate the determination of P. shigelloides serogroups and serotypes based on O and H antigens. Serology gauges immune responses to P. shigelloides infection or vaccination, aiding in comprehensive diagnosis.
Molecular Methods: Molecular techniques detect specific nucleic acids or genes using PCR, real-time PCR, multiplex PCR, LAMP or loop-mediated isothermal amplification test, or DNA microarray. These advanced methods allow precise species identification and the detection of virulence factors like toxins, hemolysins, and antibiotic-resistance genes. Molecular approaches also shed light on genetic diversity, strain phylogeny, and the presence of critical elements like the type VI secretion system.
Plesiomonas shigelloides exhibits a global presence, with a higher prevalence observed in subtropical & tropical regions. Its peak incidence typically occurs during the summer and autumn seasons. The bacterium thrives in environments with a minimum temperature of 8ºC and the absence of salt, which restricts its habitat to freshwater sources, shellfish, freshwater fish, and various animal hosts, including swine, cattle, goats, cats, vultures, dogs, monkeys, toads, snakes, and humans. Outbreaks of diarrheal illness have been linked to water and food items containing P. shigelloides, particularly oysters.
The prevalence of P. shigelloides infection varies by geographic region and season. Studies conducted across different countries have reported varying incidence rates. For instance, research from 2004 to 2008 in Ecuador documented the presence of P. shigelloides in 3.1% of stool samples from diarrheal patients and 2.5% of control samples. In Thailand, a study spanning 2000 to 2006 identified the bacterium in 1.8% of stool samples from individuals with diarrhea and 0.7% of samples from healthy individuals.
Similarly, studies in Brazil (1997-2006), Japan (1996-2005), and the United States (1982-1988) found varying rates of isolation of P. shigelloides from stool samples of patients with diarrhea and controls. Despite regional variations, contaminated water, and seafood consumption remain pivotal factors contributing to the transmission of P. shigelloides infections.
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Pseudomonadota
Class: Gammaproteobacteria
Order: Enterobacterales
Family: Enterobacteriaceae
Genus: Plesiomonas
Species: Plesiomonas shigelloides
Plesiomonas shigelloides is a gram-negative, bacillus or rod-shaped bacterium with a thick peptidoglycan layered cell wall.
It typically measures about 0.3-1.0 µm in width and 0.6-6.0 µm in length. The presence of polar flagella enables its movement in liquid environments.
It does not produce spores. Notably, P. shigelloides exhibit versatility in oxygen requirements, capable of growth with or without oxygen as a facultative anaerobe.
The O and H antigens of P. shigelloides are pivotal components that play integral roles in its pathogenicity. These antigens are encoded by genes situated in distinct regions of the bacterial chromosome. The O antigen genes are positioned between the rep and aqpZ genes, while the H antigen genes are located closely at the origin of replication.
Additionally, P. shigelloides harbors significant virulence factors such as lysophospholipase, which can hydrolyze lysophospholipids in cell membranes, and a phospholipase A1 effector protein, designated as plaA, associated with the type VI secretion system. The twin-arginine translocation system, involving genes like tatC, tatA, tatB, & tatD, enables the transport of folded proteins across the bacterial membrane, enhancing its pathogenic potential.
The bacterium also produces various effector proteins with significant roles in its virulence. Notably, the lysophospholipase encoded by the lplA gene and the phospholipase A1 effector protein (plaA) associated with the type VI secretion system contributes to its pathogenic effects on host cell membranes.
Several strains of P. shigelloides have been isolated from human infections, each associated with distinct clinical manifestations. The P-1 strain (O17:H2) produces a cytotoxin that damages host cells by forming pores in their membranes. The P-2 strain (O54:H2) is linked to septicemia and carries a phospholipase A1 effector protein that cleaves phospholipids in cell membranes.
The P-3 strain (O1:H1a1c) induces diarrhea by producing heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins. The P-4 strain (O6:H5) causes meningitis and produces heat-labile and heat-stable toxins, mimicking cholera toxin’s effects. The P-5 strain (O18:H8) contributes to peritonitis by producing a repeats-in-toxin protein that mediates cytotoxicity through host cell receptor binding.
P. shigelloides employs a multifaceted approach to initiate infection. The bacterium adheres to and invades intestinal epithelial cells by utilizing its flagella, pili, and other surface molecules. This ability allows it to traverse the intestinal barrier, gaining access to the bloodstream and other organs, potentially leading to systemic infection.
P. shigelloides is adept at producing an array of toxins that harm host cells and tissues. Among these toxins are hemolysins, enterotoxins, cholera-like toxins, endotoxins, repeats-in-toxin protein, and lysophospholipase. These virulence factors induce pore formation, fluid secretion, inflammation, cytotoxicity, and necrosis, collectively contributing to the onset of symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.
The bacterium has diverse secretion systems, including the type VI secretion system. This system facilitates the injection of effector proteins into host cells or competing bacteria, enabling P. shigelloides to modulate host immune responses and enhance its survival and virulence. Notably, the phospholipase A1 effector protein carried by the type VI secretion system contributes to the disruption of cell membranes.
P. shigelloides exhibits a concerning trait of antibiotic resistance, possessing genes that confer resistance to various antibiotics such as beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and quinolones. This resistance further complicates treatment strategies and underscores the need to manage infections caused by this bacterium carefully.
Innate Immunity: The initial host defense involves innate immunity, encompassing physical barriers (epithelial surfaces, mucous membranes) and specialized cells like phagocytes, natural killer cells, and complement proteins.
These elements recognize P. shigelloides and counteract it through phagocytosis, where neutrophils and macrophages engulf and neutralize the bacterium. Complement activation bolsters the immune response by coating pathogens and constructing membrane attack complexes, while inflammation orchestrates immune cells and mediators to the infection site for control.
Cell-Mediated Immunity: T cells recognize antigens presented by other cells. Helper T cells release cytokines directing immune actions, including antibody production and macrophage activation. Cytotoxic T cells identify infected cells and trigger apoptosis, curbing P. shigelloides‘ spread.
Adaptive Immunity: Adaptive immunity generates specific responses against P. shigelloides. B cells manufacture antibodies binding to and neutralizing bacterium antigens. Antibodies facilitate opsonization, prompt phagocytosis, or initiate complement pathways. Crucially, T cells – helper and cytotoxic – contribute. Helper T cells secrete cytokines directing immune responses, while cytotoxic T cells induce infected cell apoptosis.
Plesiomonas shigelloides, a bacterium often associated with consuming raw seafood, can lead to human enteric disease. The clinical manifestations of P. shigelloides infection encompass a range of symptoms. While the bacterium has been identified from the feces of people with and without diarrhea or vomiting or gastroenteritis, the precise link between P. shigelloides and these illnesses remains to be definitively established.
Symptoms commonly observed include watery diarrhea, typically non-bloody and occasionally containing mucus, accompanied by mild to high fever. Abdominal discomfort and pain, nausea, vomiting, chills, shivering, musculoskeletal pain, and headache may also manifest.
These symptoms generally emerge within 24 hours following ingestion and persist for 24 to 48 hours. Notably, P. shigelloides-induced infections are typically self-limiting in nature, often resolving without the need for specific medical treatment. However, oral rehydration therapy is recommended to counteract the risk of dehydration, thus promoting recovery.
Culture method: P. shigelloides on media like sheep blood agar, MacConkey agar, deoxycholate agar, Hektoen agar, and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar. Non-hemolytic colonies with distinct characteristics – gray, shiny, smooth, opaque, and slightly raised in the center – indicate P. shigelloides.
Biochemical tests: Key biochemical reactions, including oxidase positivity, indole positivity, non-lactose fermentation, glucose and inositol fermentation, and arginine, lysine, and ornithine decarboxylation, aid in accurate identification. Confirmatory tests through serological or molecular methods enhance diagnostic precision. Notably, the oxidase test helps differentiate Plesiomonas from Shigella in diarrheal stools.
Serology: Serological tests assess the presence of antibodies or antigens in body fluids using techniques such as agglutination, ELISA, immunofluorescence, or immunochromatographic assay. These tests facilitate the determination of P. shigelloides serogroups and serotypes based on O and H antigens. Serology gauges immune responses to P. shigelloides infection or vaccination, aiding in comprehensive diagnosis.
Molecular Methods: Molecular techniques detect specific nucleic acids or genes using PCR, real-time PCR, multiplex PCR, LAMP or loop-mediated isothermal amplification test, or DNA microarray. These advanced methods allow precise species identification and the detection of virulence factors like toxins, hemolysins, and antibiotic-resistance genes. Molecular approaches also shed light on genetic diversity, strain phylogeny, and the presence of critical elements like the type VI secretion system.
Plesiomonas shigelloides exhibits a global presence, with a higher prevalence observed in subtropical & tropical regions. Its peak incidence typically occurs during the summer and autumn seasons. The bacterium thrives in environments with a minimum temperature of 8ºC and the absence of salt, which restricts its habitat to freshwater sources, shellfish, freshwater fish, and various animal hosts, including swine, cattle, goats, cats, vultures, dogs, monkeys, toads, snakes, and humans. Outbreaks of diarrheal illness have been linked to water and food items containing P. shigelloides, particularly oysters.
The prevalence of P. shigelloides infection varies by geographic region and season. Studies conducted across different countries have reported varying incidence rates. For instance, research from 2004 to 2008 in Ecuador documented the presence of P. shigelloides in 3.1% of stool samples from diarrheal patients and 2.5% of control samples. In Thailand, a study spanning 2000 to 2006 identified the bacterium in 1.8% of stool samples from individuals with diarrhea and 0.7% of samples from healthy individuals.
Similarly, studies in Brazil (1997-2006), Japan (1996-2005), and the United States (1982-1988) found varying rates of isolation of P. shigelloides from stool samples of patients with diarrhea and controls. Despite regional variations, contaminated water, and seafood consumption remain pivotal factors contributing to the transmission of P. shigelloides infections.
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Pseudomonadota
Class: Gammaproteobacteria
Order: Enterobacterales
Family: Enterobacteriaceae
Genus: Plesiomonas
Species: Plesiomonas shigelloides
Plesiomonas shigelloides is a gram-negative, bacillus or rod-shaped bacterium with a thick peptidoglycan layered cell wall.
It typically measures about 0.3-1.0 µm in width and 0.6-6.0 µm in length. The presence of polar flagella enables its movement in liquid environments.
It does not produce spores. Notably, P. shigelloides exhibit versatility in oxygen requirements, capable of growth with or without oxygen as a facultative anaerobe.
The O and H antigens of P. shigelloides are pivotal components that play integral roles in its pathogenicity. These antigens are encoded by genes situated in distinct regions of the bacterial chromosome. The O antigen genes are positioned between the rep and aqpZ genes, while the H antigen genes are located closely at the origin of replication.
Additionally, P. shigelloides harbors significant virulence factors such as lysophospholipase, which can hydrolyze lysophospholipids in cell membranes, and a phospholipase A1 effector protein, designated as plaA, associated with the type VI secretion system. The twin-arginine translocation system, involving genes like tatC, tatA, tatB, & tatD, enables the transport of folded proteins across the bacterial membrane, enhancing its pathogenic potential.
The bacterium also produces various effector proteins with significant roles in its virulence. Notably, the lysophospholipase encoded by the lplA gene and the phospholipase A1 effector protein (plaA) associated with the type VI secretion system contributes to its pathogenic effects on host cell membranes.
Several strains of P. shigelloides have been isolated from human infections, each associated with distinct clinical manifestations. The P-1 strain (O17:H2) produces a cytotoxin that damages host cells by forming pores in their membranes. The P-2 strain (O54:H2) is linked to septicemia and carries a phospholipase A1 effector protein that cleaves phospholipids in cell membranes.
The P-3 strain (O1:H1a1c) induces diarrhea by producing heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins. The P-4 strain (O6:H5) causes meningitis and produces heat-labile and heat-stable toxins, mimicking cholera toxin’s effects. The P-5 strain (O18:H8) contributes to peritonitis by producing a repeats-in-toxin protein that mediates cytotoxicity through host cell receptor binding.
P. shigelloides employs a multifaceted approach to initiate infection. The bacterium adheres to and invades intestinal epithelial cells by utilizing its flagella, pili, and other surface molecules. This ability allows it to traverse the intestinal barrier, gaining access to the bloodstream and other organs, potentially leading to systemic infection.
P. shigelloides is adept at producing an array of toxins that harm host cells and tissues. Among these toxins are hemolysins, enterotoxins, cholera-like toxins, endotoxins, repeats-in-toxin protein, and lysophospholipase. These virulence factors induce pore formation, fluid secretion, inflammation, cytotoxicity, and necrosis, collectively contributing to the onset of symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.
The bacterium has diverse secretion systems, including the type VI secretion system. This system facilitates the injection of effector proteins into host cells or competing bacteria, enabling P. shigelloides to modulate host immune responses and enhance its survival and virulence. Notably, the phospholipase A1 effector protein carried by the type VI secretion system contributes to the disruption of cell membranes.
P. shigelloides exhibits a concerning trait of antibiotic resistance, possessing genes that confer resistance to various antibiotics such as beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and quinolones. This resistance further complicates treatment strategies and underscores the need to manage infections caused by this bacterium carefully.
Innate Immunity: The initial host defense involves innate immunity, encompassing physical barriers (epithelial surfaces, mucous membranes) and specialized cells like phagocytes, natural killer cells, and complement proteins.
These elements recognize P. shigelloides and counteract it through phagocytosis, where neutrophils and macrophages engulf and neutralize the bacterium. Complement activation bolsters the immune response by coating pathogens and constructing membrane attack complexes, while inflammation orchestrates immune cells and mediators to the infection site for control.
Cell-Mediated Immunity: T cells recognize antigens presented by other cells. Helper T cells release cytokines directing immune actions, including antibody production and macrophage activation. Cytotoxic T cells identify infected cells and trigger apoptosis, curbing P. shigelloides‘ spread.
Adaptive Immunity: Adaptive immunity generates specific responses against P. shigelloides. B cells manufacture antibodies binding to and neutralizing bacterium antigens. Antibodies facilitate opsonization, prompt phagocytosis, or initiate complement pathways. Crucially, T cells – helper and cytotoxic – contribute. Helper T cells secrete cytokines directing immune responses, while cytotoxic T cells induce infected cell apoptosis.
Plesiomonas shigelloides, a bacterium often associated with consuming raw seafood, can lead to human enteric disease. The clinical manifestations of P. shigelloides infection encompass a range of symptoms. While the bacterium has been identified from the feces of people with and without diarrhea or vomiting or gastroenteritis, the precise link between P. shigelloides and these illnesses remains to be definitively established.
Symptoms commonly observed include watery diarrhea, typically non-bloody and occasionally containing mucus, accompanied by mild to high fever. Abdominal discomfort and pain, nausea, vomiting, chills, shivering, musculoskeletal pain, and headache may also manifest.
These symptoms generally emerge within 24 hours following ingestion and persist for 24 to 48 hours. Notably, P. shigelloides-induced infections are typically self-limiting in nature, often resolving without the need for specific medical treatment. However, oral rehydration therapy is recommended to counteract the risk of dehydration, thus promoting recovery.
Culture method: P. shigelloides on media like sheep blood agar, MacConkey agar, deoxycholate agar, Hektoen agar, and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar. Non-hemolytic colonies with distinct characteristics – gray, shiny, smooth, opaque, and slightly raised in the center – indicate P. shigelloides.
Biochemical tests: Key biochemical reactions, including oxidase positivity, indole positivity, non-lactose fermentation, glucose and inositol fermentation, and arginine, lysine, and ornithine decarboxylation, aid in accurate identification. Confirmatory tests through serological or molecular methods enhance diagnostic precision. Notably, the oxidase test helps differentiate Plesiomonas from Shigella in diarrheal stools.
Serology: Serological tests assess the presence of antibodies or antigens in body fluids using techniques such as agglutination, ELISA, immunofluorescence, or immunochromatographic assay. These tests facilitate the determination of P. shigelloides serogroups and serotypes based on O and H antigens. Serology gauges immune responses to P. shigelloides infection or vaccination, aiding in comprehensive diagnosis.
Molecular Methods: Molecular techniques detect specific nucleic acids or genes using PCR, real-time PCR, multiplex PCR, LAMP or loop-mediated isothermal amplification test, or DNA microarray. These advanced methods allow precise species identification and the detection of virulence factors like toxins, hemolysins, and antibiotic-resistance genes. Molecular approaches also shed light on genetic diversity, strain phylogeny, and the presence of critical elements like the type VI secretion system.

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