Stx-Producing Shigella Species From Patients in Haiti: An Emerging Pathogen With the Potential for Global Spread
Abstract
Shiga toxins (Stx) are commonly produced by Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 and Stx-producing Escherichia coli. However, the toxin genes have been detected in additional Shigella species. We recently reported the emergence of Stx-producing Shigella in travelers in the United States and France who had recently visited Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). In this study, we confirm this epidemiological link by identifying Stx-producing Shigella from Haitian patients attending clinics near Port-au-Prince. We also demonstrate that the bacteriophage encoding Stx is capable of dissemination to stx-negative Shigella species found in Haiti, suggesting that Stx-producing Shigella may become more widespread within that region.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1093/ofid/ofv134
Entities
People
- Afsar Ali
- Anthony T. Maurelli
- David W. Lacher
- J. Glenn Morris Jr.
- Keith A. Lampel
- Meer T. Alam
- Miranda D. Gray
- Patrick T. Labreck
- Susan R. Leonard
Organizations
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- National Institutes of Health
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- United States Department of Defense
- University of Florida