Molecular typing of Shigella strains

Abstract

Shigelloses still provide one of the toughest health challenges in many countries, especially in developing ones. Current molecular-genetic techniques are increasingly replacing conventional phenotypic approaches to investigating Shigella-associated infections. The review describes available methods of typing Shigella bacteria, their potential applications and selection criteria depending on the research task. It also deals with their advantages and disadvantages. Such methods as PFGE (pulsed field gel electrophoresis), the "gold standard" in typing various pathogens, and MLVA (multi-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis) are the most widely used Shigella typing procedures. These methods are often combined or used along with some other genotyping tools. In the nearest future, with the advent of web platforms allowing express processing data, whole genome sequence will possibly become more widely used in lab diagnostics to evaluate outbreaks and to perform epidemiological monitoring.