Bacteriological and Antigenic Analysis of Shigella Paradysenteriae Sonne Isolated from 9 Cases

Abstract

The authors emphasize the importance of S. para-dysenteriae Sonne as a cause of diarrheal disease in Connecticut and as a possible factor in undiagnosed cases of diarrheal upsets in the U. S. A. 9 cases are discussed and 2 case histories given, one of the mild transient, and the other of the acute fatal type. The consistency of the biochemical reactions within the para-dysentery group is brought forward, and a detailed description of general growth characteristics is included. A serological study corroborates the findings and demonstrates the close antigenic relationship of S. paradysen-teriae Sonne and metadysenteroides (Castellani). Reference is made to the "multiplicity" of antigens in some Flexner strains for Shigella dispar, which is being studied further.