The causative agent of dysentery is/are

Options

A. Virus
B. Fungi
C. Protozoa
D. Both (A) and (C )

Answer

To solve the question regarding the causative agent of dysentery, we will follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Dysentery**:
- Dysentery is an infection of the intestines, characterized by severe diarrhea, which may contain blood or mucus. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, cramps, lethargy, and weight loss.

2. **Identify Symptoms**:
- The symptoms can range from mild to severe and, if untreated, can lead to inflammation and ulceration of the colon.

3. **Determine Causative Agents**:
- Dysentery can be caused by different types of microorganisms. The two main categories are:
- **Bacteria**: The most common bacterial cause of dysentery is **Shigella**. This is known as bacillary dysentery.
- **Protozoa**: The protozoan **Entamoeba histolytica** is responsible for amoebic dysentery.

4. **Evaluate the Options**:
- The question provides the following options:
- A) Virus
- B) Fungi
- C) Protozoa
- Based on our understanding:
- **Viruses** do not cause dysentery.
- **Fungi** are also not known to cause dysentery.
- **Protozoa** (specifically, Entamoeba histolytica) is indeed a causative agent of dysentery.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer is **C) Protozoa**.