Prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Shigella species isolated from French travellers returning from the Caribbean: an emerging pathogen with international implications.

ABSTRACT: Shiga toxins (Stxs) are potent cytotoxins that inhibit host cell protein synthesis, leading to cell death. Classically, these toxins are associated with intestinal infections due to Stx-producing Escherichia coli or Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1, and infections with these strains can lead to haemolytic-uraemic syndrome. Over the past decade, there has been increasing recognition that Stx is produced by additional Shigella species. We recently reported the presence and expression of stx genes in Shigella flexneri 2a clinical isolates. The toxin genes were carried by a new stx-encoding bacteriophage, and infection with these strains correlated with recent travel to Haiti or the Dominican Republic. In this study, we further explored the epidemiological link to this region by utilizing the F

SUBMITTER: Gray MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4497849 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature