title: Colicine production as an epidemiological marker for Shigella sonnei.
abstract: The reliability of colicine typing of Shigella sonnei: as an epidemiological marker has been investigated. Strains from 13 of 110 excretors showed variation in type as determined by typing serial isolates and in 14 of 106 epidemics there was a lack of uniformity in typing results. The simultaneous presence of two types was found in 11.4% of patients. In vitro variation was seen after 10 days in 6.8% of isolates from 44 stools; variation had risen to 9% when isolates were re-examined after one month. These results suggest that restrictions should be placed on the use of colicine typing as an epidemiologic tool.
mesh_terms: D003087:Colicins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003470:Culture Media; D004405:Dysentery, Bacillary / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D012764:Shigella sonnei / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D003087:Colicins; D003470:Culture Media