Report on Six Strains of Shigella Paradysenteriae Type P274 Isolated from Cases of Dysenteryin Georgia

Abstract

An analysis by Boyd' of the antigenic hospital. In addition to the usual types structure of 4,856 strains of mannitolencountered, 42 strains of the fermenting dysentery bacilli (except type were isolated. This organism was late fermenters of lactose and sucrose) not isolated from any patient not sufferisolated in military laboratories in India ing from clinical dysentery. The clinical in the years 1932-1935 showed the picture could not be differentiated from types to fall into 2 groups. One comthat caused by other members of the prises the types in which a Flexner Flexner group. These authors suggested antigen occurs (Flexner V, W, that this type be designated as Boyd IV. X, Z, Manchester-Newcastle-88, 103, The isolation of Shigella paradysenand P 119). The other includes the teriae, type from 6 cases of clinical strains which have the biochemical redysentery in Georgia adds to the acactions of the Flexner species but which cumulating evidence of the pathogeniclack Flexner group antigen. The memity of this organism. The first case bers of the second group were provisionoccurred in Norcross, Georgia, in Octoally designated as 170 (Boyd I), P 288 ber, 1943. The patient, a white man (Boyd II), D I (Boyd III), P 274, D 19, aged 66, had chills, fever, aching, nauand P 143. These 6 types of the second sea, vomiting and bloody, mucoid group, with 2 possible exceptions, did diarrhea. Stool cultures showed the ornot show any appreciable degree of ganism to be present in large numbers. cross-agglutination either with each The duration of illness is not known. other or with any of the types included About 1 month later 5 members of a in the first group. Of the 4,856 strains, Negro family at Chattahoochee, Georgia, 75 or 1.5% were type P 274. Boyd found 25 miles distant from Norcross, became that this strain bore an antigenic relaill with dysentery. Their ages were 2, 4, tionship to other organisms which ap9, 11 and 20 years. All had temperatures parently do not cause dysentery and he of 101-102 F, abdominal cramps, vomsuggested that further investigation iting, and moderate diarrhea. Three might ultimately lead to its removal were ill as long as 3 weeks, the other 2 from the group. for only a few days. Shigella was Recently Rothstadt, Fenner and isolated from the stool of each. No epiBaker2 described an outbreak of bacildemiological relationship of these to the lary dysentry caused by Bacterium Norcross case could be established. dysenteriae P274 of Boyd. During July, August, September and October, Cultural Characters 1942, many cases of bacillary dysentery On desoxycholate citrate and SS agar, were treated in an Australian general the colonies were similar to those of Shigella paradysenteriae. On MacConReceived for publication May 1, 1944. 1. Boyd, J. S. K. 1938, J. Hyg. 38: 477-499. key's agar they grew large and irregular, 2. Rothstadt, L. E., Fenner, F., and Baker, resembling those of Shigella sonnei. B. A. 1943, Med. J. Austral. 1: 341-344. After remaining at room temperature