Stx-Producing Shigella Species From Patients in Haiti: An Emerging Pathogen With the Potential for Global Spread.
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.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda.
Miranda D
MD
Gray
US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition , Laurel, Maryland.
Susan R
SR
Leonard
US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition , Laurel, Maryland.
David W
DW
Lacher
US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition , Laurel, Maryland.
Keith A
KA
Lampel
University of Florida, Emerging Pathogens Institute, ; Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions , University of Florida , Gainesville.
Meer T
MT
Alam
University of Florida, Emerging Pathogens Institute.
J Glenn
JG
Morris
University of Florida, Emerging Pathogens Institute, ; Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions , University of Florida , Gainesville.
Afsar
A
Ali
Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda.
Patrick T
PT
LaBreck
Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda.
Anthony T
AT
Maurelli
Haiti; Shiga toxin; Shigella; bacteriophage