PCR-Based Method for Shigella flexneri Serotyping: International Multicenter Validation.

Shigella spp. are a leading cause of human diarrheal disease worldwide, with Shigella flexneri being the most frequently isolated species in developing countries. This serogroup is presently classified into 19 serotypes worldwide. We report here a multicenter validation of a multiplex-PCR-based strategy previously developed by Q. Sun, R. Lan, Y. Wang, A. Zhao, et al. (J Clin Microbiol 49:3766-3770, 2011) for molecular serotyping of S. flexneri This study was performed by seven international laboratories, with a panel of 71 strains (researchers were blind to their identity) as well as 279 strains collected from each laboratory's own local culture collections. This collaborative work found a high extent of agreement among laboratories, calculated through interrater reliability (IRR) measures for the PCR test that proved its robustness. Agreement with the traditional method (serology) was also observed in all laboratories for 14 serotypes studied, while specific genetic events could be responsible for the discrepancies among methodologies in the other 5 serotypes, as determined by PCR product sequencing in most of the cases. This work provided an empirical framework that allowed the use of this molecular method to serotype S. flexneri and showed several advantages over the traditional method of serological typing. These advantages included overcoming the problem of availability of suitable antisera in testing laboratories as well as facilitating the analysis of multiple samples at the same time. The method is also less time-consuming for completion and easier to implement in routine laboratories. We recommend that this PCR be adopted, as it is a reliable diagnostic and characterization methodology that can be used globally for laboratory-based shigella surveillance.

O-antigen modifications providing antigenic diversity of Shigella flexneri and underlying genetic mechanisms.

O-Antigens (O-specific polysaccharides) of Shigella flexneri, a primary cause of shigellosis, are distinguished by a wide diversity of chemical modifications following the oligosaccharide O-unit assembly. The present review is devoted to structural, serological, and genetic aspects of these modifications, including O-acetylation and phosphorylation with phosphoethanolamine that have been identified recently. The modifications confer the host with specific immunodeterminants (O-factors or O-antigen epitopes), which accounts for the antigenic diversity of S. flexneri considered as a virulence factor of the pathogen. Totally, 30 O-antigen variants have been recognized in these bacteria, the corresponding O-factors characterized using specific antibodies, and a significant extension of the serotyping scheme of S. flexneri on this basis is suggested. Multiple genes responsible for the O-antigen modifications and the resultant serotype conversions of S. flexneri have been identified. The genetic mechanisms of the O-antigen diversification by acquisition of mobile genetic elements, including prophages and plasmids, followed occasionally by gene mobilization and inactivation have been revealed. These findings further our understanding of the genetics and antigenicity of S. flexneri and assist control of shigellosis.

Identification of an O-acyltransferase gene (oacB) that mediates 3- and 4-O-acetylation of rhamnose III in Shigella flexneri O antigens.

O antigen (O polysaccharide) is an important and highly variable cell component present on the surface of cells which defines the serospecificity of Gram-negative bacteria. Most O antigens of Shigella flexneri, a cause of shigellosis, share a backbone composed of →2)-α-l-Rhap(III)-(1→2)-α-l-Rhap(II)-(1→3)-α-l-Rhap(I)-(1→3)-ß-d-GlcpNAc-(1→ repeats, which can be modified by adding various substituents, giving rise to 19 serotypes. The known modifications include glucosylation on various sugar residues, O-acetylation on Rha(I), and phosphorylation with phosphoethanolamine on Rha(II) or/and Rha(III). Recently, two new O-antigen modifications, namely, O-acetylation at position 3 or 4 of Rha(III) and position 6 of GlcNAc, have been identified in several S. flexneri serotypes. In this work, the genetic basis for the 3/4-O-acetylation on Rha(III) was elucidated. Bioinformatic analysis of the genome of S. flexneri serotype 2a strain Sf301, which carries 3/4-O-acetylation on Rha(III), revealed an O-acyltransferase gene designated oacB. Genetic studies combined with O-antigen structure analysis demonstrated that this gene is responsible for the 3/4-O-acetylation in serotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 5a, and Y but not serotype 6, which has a different O-antigen backbone structure. The oacB gene is carried by a transposon-like structure located in the proA-adrA region on the chromosome, which represents a novel mechanism of mobilization of O-antigen modification factors in S. flexneri. These findings enhance our knowledge of S. flexneri O-antigen modifications and shed light on the origin of new O-antigen variants.

Serotype-converting bacteriophage SfII encodes an acyltransferase protein that mediates 6-O-acetylation of GlcNAc in Shigella flexneri O-antigens, conferring on the host a novel O-antigen epitope.

Shigella flexneri O-antigen is an important and highly variable cell component presented on the outer leaflet of the outer membrane. Most Shigella flexneri bacteria share an O-antigen backbone composed of →2)-α-L-Rhap(III)-(1→2)-α-L-Rhap(II)-(1→3)-α-L-Rhap(I)-(1→3)-ß-D-GlcpNAc-(1→ repeats, which can be modified by adding various chemical groups to different sugars, giving rise to diverse O-antigen structures and, correspondingly, to various serotypes. The known modifications include glucosylation on various sugar residues, O-acetylation on Rha(I) or/and Rha(III), and phosphorylation with phosphoethanolamine on Rha(II) or/and Rha(III). Recently, a new O-antigen modification, namely, O-acetylation at position 6 of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), has been identified in S. flexneri serotypes 2a, 3a, Y, and Yv. In this study, the genetic basis of the 6-O-acetylation of GlcNAc in S. flexneri was elucidated. An O-acyltransferase gene designated oacD was found to be responsible for this modification. The oacD gene is carried on serotype-converting bacteriophage SfII, which is integrated into the host chromosome by lysogeny to form a prophage responsible for the evolvement of serotype 2 of S. flexneri. The OacD-mediated 6-O-acetylation also occurs in some other S. flexneri serotypes that carry a cryptic SfII prophage with a dysfunctional gtr locus for type II glucosylation. The 6-O-acetylation on GlcNAc confers to the host a novel O-antigen epitope, provisionally named O-factor 10. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of the O-antigen variation and enable further studies to understand the contribution of the O-acetylation to the antigenicity and pathogenicity of S. flexneri.

Dissemination and serotype modification potential of pSFxv_2, an O-antigen PEtN modification plasmid in Shigella flexneri.

The O-antigens of all Shigella flexneri serotypes, except serotype 6, share a linear tetrasaccharide repeat composed of one N-acetylglucosamine and three l-rhamnose residues, and differences between the serotypes are due to modification of various monosaccharide residues with glucosyl and/or O-acetyl and/or phosphoethanolamine (PEtN) groups. Plasmid-borne opt (formerly lpt-O) gene encoding a PEtN transferase which modifies the O-antigens of S. flexneri serotype X, 4a and Y strains and converts the hosts into MASF IV-1 (E1037) positive "variant" (v) Xv, 4av and Yv serotypes, respectively. In this study, we showed that the opt-carrying plasmid pSFxv_2 can transform strains of all S. flexneri serotypes (1-6) to confer them with the MASF IV-1 epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody MASF IV-1 and typing antiserum IV. The transformants possessed modified O-antigens with a PEtN group(s) at position 3 of one or two rhamnose residues. In some serotypes, the PEtN modification competed or/and interfered with glucosylation and O-acetylation at the same or its neighboring sugar residue. We also showed that the plasmid pSFxv_2 is mobilizable to other S. flexneri strains by conjugation. Although pSFxv_2-harboring S. flexneri strains found in clinical infections are restricted to serotypes Xv, 4av, Yv and, possibly, 6v, our results demonstrate a high potential of dissemination of this plasmid in S. flexneri and emergence of new S. flexneri serotypes.

Serological identification and prevalence of a novel O-antigen epitope linked to 3- and 4-O-acetylated rhamnose III of lipopolysaccharide in Shigella flexneri.

Shigella flexneri is the major cause of shigellosis in developing countries. All serotypes except for serotype 6 share an O-antigen backbone composed of a → 2)-α-L-Rhap(III)-(1 → 2)-α-l-Rhap(II)-(1 → 3)-α-l-Rhap(I)-(1 → 3)-ß-D-GlcpNAc-(1 → tetrasaccharide repeat. It can be modified by the addition of a glucosyl group to one or more sugar residues and/or an O-acetyl group to Rha(I) and/or a phosphoethanolamine to Rha(II) and/or Rha(III). These modifications give rise to type I-, IC-, II-, IV-, and V- and to group 6-, 7,8-, and MASF IV-1-specific antigenic determinants, which comprise the current serotyping scheme of S. flexneri. Recently, another O-antigen modification created by adding an O-acetyl group to Rha(III) at position 3 or 4 (3/4-O-acetylation) has been found in S. flexneri serotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 5a, Y, and 6. A new O-acyltransferase gene named oacB has been shown to mediate the 3/4-O-acetylation in serotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 5a, and Y but not in 6. In this work, we studied the distribution of the 3/4-O-acetylation in S. flexneri and the antigenicity that resulted from this modification. PCR screening of the oacB gene in clinical isolates of S. flexneri demonstrated that the oacB-mediated 3/4-O-acetylation is widespread in serotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 5a, and Y. Serological analysis indicated that this modification confers the host with a novel antigenic determinant that is provisionally named group O factor 9. These findings enhance our understanding of the varieties of O-antigenic determinants related to O-antigen modification in S. flexneri and will assist epidemiological studies and vaccine development.

Genomic portrait of the evolution and epidemic spread of a recently emerged multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri clone in China.

Shigella flexneri is the major cause of shigellosis in developing countries. A new S. flexneri serotype, Xv, appeared in 2000 and replaced serotype 2a as the most prevalent serotype in China. Serotype Xv is a variant of serotype X, with phosphoethanolamine modification of its O antigen mediated by a plasmid that contained the opt gene. Serotype Xv isolates belong to sequence type 91 (ST91). In this study, whole-genome sequencing of 59 S. flexneri isolates of 14 serotypes (serotypes 1 to 4, Y, Yv, X, and Xv) indicated that ST91 arose around 1993 by acquiring multidrug resistance (MDR) and spread across China within a decade. A comparative analysis of the chromosome and opt-carrying plasmid pSFXv_2 revealed independent origins of 3 serotype Xv clusters in China, with different divergence times. Using 18 cluster-dividing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), SNP typing divided 380 isolates from 3 provinces (Henan, Gansu, and Anhui) into 5 SNP genotypes (SGs). One SG predominated in each province, but substantial interregional spread of SGs was also evident. These findings suggest that MDR is the key selective pressure for the emergence of the S. flexneri epidemic clone and that Shigella epidemics in China were caused by a combination of local expansion and interregional spread of serotype Xv.

Genetic and structural identification of an O-acyltransferase gene (oacC) responsible for the 3/4-O-acetylation on rhamnose III in Shigella flexneri serotype 6.

BACKGROUND: O-antigen (O-polysaccharide) of the lipopolysaccharide is a highly variable cell component of the outer membrane in Shigella flexneri. It defines the serospecificity and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of shigellosis. There are two distinct O-antigen forms for the 19 serotypes of S. flexneri: one for serotypes 1-5, X, Y, 7 (and their subtypes), and the other for serotype 6. Although having different basal O-polysaccharide structures, the two forms share a common disaccharide fragment [→2)-α-l-Rhap III-(1 → 2)-α-l-Rhap II]. In serotype 6 and some non-6 serotypes, RhaIII is O-acetylated at position either 3 or 4 (3/4-O-acetylation), conferring to the hosts a novel antigenic determinant named O-factor 9. An acyltransferase gene (oacB) responsible for this modification has been identified in serotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 5a, and Y, but not in serotype 6. RESULTS: Using genetic, serological, and chemical approaches, another acyltransferase gene named oacC was demonstrated to be responsible for the 3/4-O-acetylation on RhaIII in the O-antigen of S. flexneri serotype 6. Inactivation of the oacC gene resulted in the loss of the 3/4-O-acetyltion, and the cloned oacC gene restored this modification upon transformation. In accordance with the similarity in the acceptor substrate structure and high sequence homology (72% identity) between oacC and oacB, oacC has the interchangeable function with the oacB gene in mediation of the 3/4-O-acetylation. The oacC gene is located in a prophage on the chromosome and presented in all 77 serotype 6 strains tested. CONCLUSIONS: Identification and functional characterization of the O-acetyltransferase encoding gene, oacC, shows that it is involved in O-antigen modification by 3/4-O-acetylation on RhaIII specific to serotype 6.

O-antigen structure of Shigella flexneri serotype Yv and effect of the lpt-O gene variation on phosphoethanolamine modification of S. flexneri O-antigens.

Shigella flexneri is the major human pathogen causing shigellosis. O-antigens of all S. flexneri serotypes (except for serotype 6) share the →2)-α-l-Rhap(III)-(1 → 2)-α-l-Rhap(II)-(1 → 3)-α-l-Rhap(I)-(1 → 3)-ß-d-GlcpNAc-(1→ basic O-unit, whereas differences between the serotypes are conferred by phage-encoded glucosylation and/or O-acetylation at various positions. Recently, in serotype X and 4a variants called Xv and 4av, respectively, O-antigen modification with phosphoethanolamine (PEtN) has been identified, which is encoded by a plasmid-borne gene (lpt-O) for a PEtN-transferase and confers the monoclonal antibody IV-1(MASF IV-1) determinant to the bacteria. In this study, we elucidated the O-antigen structure of serotype Yv, another MASF IV-1-positive novel variant of S. flexneri. The serotype Yv O-antigen has the same basic carbohydrate backbone structure as that of the "classical" serotype Y, but differs in the presence of PEtN at position 3 of Rha(III) (major) or both Rha(II) and Rha(III) (minor). This pattern is similar to that of serotype 4av, but different from the pattern of serotype Xv, which is characterized by major PEtN modification on Rha(II). In serotype Yv, mono- and bisphosphorylated O-units generate a block-copolymeric structure, the former being partially O-acetylated at position 6 of GlcNAc and the latter lacking O-acetylation. Functional analysis revealed a correlation between the serotype-specific PEtN modification pattern and the lpt-O variation in different serotypes: lpt-O(RII) in serotype Xv is better tuned for phosphorylation of Rha(II) and lpt-O(RIII) in serotypes Yv and 4av for phosphorylation of Rha(III). These data enhance our knowledge of S. flexneri serotype conversion mechanisms and help to understand the biosynthesis process of the new O-antigen variants.

The ecology, genetic diversity, and phylogeny of Huaiyangshan virus in China.

Surveys were carried out to better understand the tick vector ecology and genetic diversity of Huaiyangshan virus (HYSV) in both regions of endemicity and regions of nonendemicity. Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks were dominant in regions of endemicity, while Rhipicephalus microplus is more abundant in regions of nonendemicity. HYSV RNA was found in human and both tick species, with greater prevalence in H. longicornis and lesser prevalence in R. microplus. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that HYSV is a novel species of the genus Phlebovirus.

Isolation and genomic characterization of SfI, a serotype-converting bacteriophage of Shigella flexneri.

BACKGROUND: All Shigella flexneri serotypes except serotype 6 share a common O-antigen tetrasaccharide backbone and nearly all variations between serotypes are due to glucosyl and/or O-acetyl modifications of the common O unit mediated by glycosyltransferases encoded by serotype-converting bacteriophages. Several S. flexneri serotype-converting phages including SfV, SfX, Sf6 and SfII have been isolated and characterized. However, S. flexneri serotype-converting phage SfI which encodes a type I modification of serotype 1 (1a, 1b, 1c and 1d) had not yet been characterized. RESULTS: The SfI phage was induced and purified from a S. flexneri serotype 1a clinical strain 019. Electron microscopy showed that the SfI phage has a hexagonal head and a long contractile tail, characteristic of the members of Myoviridae family. SfI can convert serotype Y to serotype 1a and serotype X to serotype 1d, but cannot convert 10 other S. flexneri serotypes (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, Xv) tested, suggesting that SfI has a narrow host range. Similar to other S. flexneri serotype-converting phages, SfI integrates into the tRNA-thrW gene adjacent to proA of the host chromosome when lysogenized. The complete sequence of the SfI genome was 38,389 bp, encoding 66 open reading frames and two tRNA genes. Phage SfI shares significant homology with S. flexneri phage SfV, Escherichia coli prophage e14 and lambda, and is classified into the lambdoid phage family. SfI was found to use a cos mechanism for DNA packaging similar to that of phage SfV. CONCLUSIONS: SfI contains features of lambdoid phages and is closely related to S. flexneri phage SfV, E. coli prophage e14 and lambda. The characterization of SfI enhances our understanding of serotype conversion of S. flexneri.

Hemorrhagic fever caused by a novel Bunyavirus in China: pathogenesis and correlates of fatal outcome.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic fever-like illness caused by a novel Bunyavirus, Huaiyangshan virus (HYSV, also known as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia virus [SFTSV] and Fever, Thrombocytopenia and Leukopenia Syndrome [FTLS]), has recently been described in China. METHODS: Patients with laboratory-confirmed HYSV infection who were admitted to Union Hospital or Zhongnan Hospital between April 2010 and October 2010 were included in this study. Clinical and routine laboratory data were collected and blood, throat swab, urine, or feces were obtained when possible. Viral RNA was quantified by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Blood levels of a range of cytokines, chemokines, and acute phase proteins were assayed. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients with hemorrhagic fever caused by HYSV were included; 8 (16.3%) patients died. A fatal outcome was associated with high viral RNA load in blood at admission, as well as higher serum liver transaminase levels, more pronounced coagulation disturbances (activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time), and higher levels of acute phase proteins (phospholipase A, fibrinogen, hepcidin), cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, interferon-γ), and chemokines (IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1b). The levels of these host parameters correlated with viral RNA levels. Blood viral RNA levels gradually declined over 3-4 weeks after illness onset, accompanied by resolution of symptoms and laboratory abnormalities. Viral RNA was also detectable in throat, urine, and fecal specimens of a substantial proportion of patients, including all fatal cases assayed. CONCLUSIONS. Viral replication and host immune responses play an important role in determining the severity and clinical outcome in patients with infection by HYSV.

Development of a multiplex PCR assay targeting O-antigen modification genes for molecular serotyping of Shigella flexneri.

Shigella flexneri is the major Shigella species that causes diarrheal disease in developing countries. It is further subdivided into 15 serotypes based on O-antigen structure. Serotyping of S. flexneri is important for epidemiological purposes. In this study, we developed a multiplex PCR assay targeting the O-antigen synthesis gene wzx and the O-antigen modification genes gtrI, gtrIC, gtrII, oac, gtrIV, gtrV, and gtrX for molecular serotyping of S. flexneri. The multiplex PCR assay contained eight sets of specific PCRs in a single tube and can identify 14 of the 15 serotypes (the exception being serotype Xv) of S. flexneri recognized thus far. A nearly perfect concordance (97.8%) between multiplex PCR assay and slide agglutination was observed when 358 S. flexneri strains of various serotypes were analyzed, except that 8 strains were carrying additional cryptic and/or defective serotype-specific genes. The multiplex PCR assay provides a rapid and specific method for the serotype identification of S. flexneri.

Genesis of a novel Shigella flexneri serotype by sequential infection of serotype-converting bacteriophages SfX and SfI.

BACKGROUND: Shigella flexneri is the major pathogen causing bacillary dysentery. Fifteen serotypes have been recognized up to now. The genesis of new S. flexneri serotypes is commonly mediated by serotype-converting bacteriophages. Untypeable or novel serotypes from natural infections had been reported worldwide but have not been generated in laboratory. RESULTS: A new S. flexneri serotype-serotype 1 d was generated when a S. flexneri serotype Y strain (native LPS) was sequentially infected with 2 serotype-converting bacteriophages, SfX first and then SfI. The new serotype 1 d strain agglutinated with both serotype X-specific anti-7;8 grouping serum and serotype 1a-specific anti- I typing serum, and differed from subserotypes 1a, 1b and 1c. Twenty four S. flexneri clinical isolates of serotype X were all converted to serotype 1 d by infection with phage SfI. PCR and sequencing revealed that SfI and SfX were integrated in tandem into the proA-yaiC region of the host chromosome. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a new S. flexneri serotype could be created in nature. Such a conversion may be constrained by susceptibility of a strain to infection by a given serotype-converting bacteriophage. This finding has significant implications in the emergence of new S. flexneri serotypes in nature.

Emergence of a new multidrug-resistant serotype X variant in an epidemic clone of Shigella flexneri.

Shigella spp. are the causative agent of shigellosis with Shigella flexneri serotype 2a being the most prevalent in developing countries. Epidemiological surveillance in China found that a new serotype of S. flexneri appeared in 2001 and replaced serotype 2a in 2003 as the most prevalent serotype in Henan Province. The new serotype also became the dominant serotype in 7 of the 10 other provinces under surveillance in China by 2007. The serotype was identified as a variant of serotype X. It differs from serotype X by agglutination to the monovalent anti-IV type antiserum and the group antigen-specific monoclonal antibody MASF IV-I. Genome sequencing of a serotype X variant isolate, 2002017, showed that it acquired a Shigella serotype conversion island, also as an SfX bacteriophage, containing gtr genes for type X-specific glucosylation. Multilocus sequence typing of 15 genes from 37 serotype X variant isolates and 69 isolates of eight other serotypes, 1a, 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5b, X, and Y, found that all belong to a new sequence type (ST), ST91. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed 154 pulse types with 655 S. flexneri isolates analyzed and identified 57 serotype switching events. The data suggest that S. flexneri epidemics in China have been caused by a single epidemic clone, ST91, with frequent serotype switching to evade infection-induced immunity to serotypes to which the population was exposed previously. The clone has also acquired resistance to multiple antibiotics. These findings underscore the challenges to the current vaccine development and control strategies for shigellosis.

Spread of Streptococcus suis sequence type 7, China.

Streptococcus suis sequence type (ST) 7 has been spreading throughout China. To determine events associated with its emergence, we tested 114 isolates. In all 106 ST7 strains responsible for human outbreaks and sporadic infections, the tetracycline-resistance gene, tetM, was detected on the conjugative transposon Tn916. Horizontal transmission of tetM is suspected.

[Construction of a food-grade secretion expression vector and use it for reporter protein expression in Lactococcus lactis].

We constructed a food-grade secretion expression vector and used it for reporter protein expression in live delivery vehicle L lactis MBP71. The p32 fragment, which containing the stronger p32 promoter, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the plasmid pMG36e as template. After being purified, the p32 fragment was ligated with SPusp45 fragment amplified from genomic DNA of L lactis MG1363. The fusion fragment p32-SPusp45 was inserted into the food-grade vector pSH91 to construct a secretion expression vector, pSQ. The coding sequence of NucA (nucA) was also amplified from Staphylococcus aureus chromosome and inserted into pSQ under the control of p32 promoter to construct a recombinant plasmid pSQ-nucA. Nuclease plate activity assay and zymograme assay demonstrate that NucA was secretion expressed from L lactis harboring the recombinant plasmid pSQ- nucA, and the quantity of NucA secreted into supernamant was about ten times more than which in cell lysate. Results also indicate that expression efficiency of L lactis/pSQ-nucA was higher than that of L lactis/pSQZ-nucA, constructed by us earlier.

Structure and gene cluster of the O-antigen of Escherichia coli O133.

The O-specific polysaccharide (O-antigen) of Escherichia coli O133 was obtained by mild acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide of E. coli O133. The structure of the hexasaccharide repeating unit of the polysaccharide was elucidated by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, including a two-dimensional (1)H-(1)H ROESY experiment: Functions of genes in the O-antigen gene cluster were putatively identified by comparison with sequences in the available databases and, particularly, an encoded predicted multifunctional glycosyltransferase was assigned to three α-l-rhamnosidic linkages.

Molecular Characterization of Shigella sonnei: An Increasingly Prevalent Etiologic Agent of Shigellosis in Guizhou Province, Southwest of China.

BACKGROUND: Shigellosis is a serious problem in Guizhou and Shigella sonnei is an increasingly prevalent etiologic agent of local shigellosis cases. No data, however, are available about the molecular characterization of the local isolates of S. sonnei. We have conducted this study to molecularly characterize the clinical isolates of S. sonnei in Guizhou Province. RESULTS: 76 S. sonnei isolates, including four isolates from 1974-1982 and 72 isolates from 2008-2010, were used for analysis in this study. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) based on XbaI digestion divided the 76 isolates into 38 PFGE patterns (PT) and 15 PTs were represented by more than one isolates with PT31 (N = 8) containing the most number of isolates, followed with PT2 (N = 6). Multiple-Locus Variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) Analysis (MLVA) based on seven VNTR loci discriminated them into 19 different MLVA types (MTs), and four MTs were represented by more than one isolate with MT4 (N = 39) containing the most number of isolates, followed with MT12 (N = 18). 15 Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) base on 15 loci differentiated the isolates into six sequence types (STs), among which four STs were novel. The most common STs are ST76 (N = 43) and ST116 (N = 25), accounting for 92.1%. Correlation between genetic relationships and geographical origins or isolation years was observed among the isolates studied. Majority of isolates were clustered in accordance with the origin of isolation years based on the genetic data, which were also from similar geographical origins. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed the molecular characteristics including the specific genotypes such as four novel STs, clonal relationship, and genetic changes of local isolates from different years, which enhances our understanding of molecular characteristics of S. sonnei and contributes to the prevention and control of shigellosis in Guizhou Province.

Genetic characterization of Shigella flexneri isolates in Guizhou Province, China.

Shigella flexneri is one of the major etiologic causes of shigellosis in Guizhou Province, China. However, the genetic characteristics of circulating isolates are unknown. Phenotypic and molecular profiles of 60 S. flexneri isolates recovered in Guizhou between 1972 to 1982 and 2008 to 2010 were determined. Nine serotypes (1a, 2a, 3a, 1b, 2b, X, Y, 4av and Yv) were identified. Multi-locus sequence typing differentiated the isolates into 20 sequence types (STs); 18 were novel. Four STs, ST 129, ST 100, ST 126 and ST 18, were most abundant, accounting for 65% of the isolates. Thirty-nine NotI-pulsed field gel electrophoresis patterns (pulsotypes, PTs) were observed; eight PTs were represented by more than one isolate with six isolates sharing the PT 13 profile. Multi-locus variable-nucleotide tandem-repeat analysis recognized 44 different types (MTs); seven MTs were represented by more than one isolate and MT 1 was most commonly encountered. Correlation between genetic relationships and serotypes was observed among the isolates studied; the majority of isolates belonging to the same serotype from different years clustered together based on the molecular data. These clustered isolates were also from similar geographical origins. These results enhance our understanding of genetic relationships between S. flexneri in Guizhou Province and can be used to help understand the changing etiology of shigellosis in China.