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Invasion of HEp-2 cells by Shigella spp. isolated from acute pediatric diarrhea

Sajjad Omidi1, Mohammad Mehdi Soltan Dallal2,3, Abolfazle Davoodabadi4

  • 1Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

GMS Infectious Diseases
|January 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri, common causes of pediatric diarrhea, were isolated from stool samples. Both strains demonstrated invasion of HEp-2 cells, indicating their potential for virulent infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Shigella infection causes significant global mortality and morbidity, particularly in children, due to poor hygiene.
  • Bacterium-directed phagocytosis describes Shigella's active invasion of host epithelial cells.
  • Understanding Shigella invasion mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the invasive potential of Shigella species isolated from pediatric diarrhea cases in Tehran, Iran.
  • To confirm the ability of Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri to invade HEp-2 cells.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 310 stool samples from children with acute diarrhea.
  • Isolated and identified Shigella species using standard microbiological and biochemical tests.
  • Assessed the invasion of HEp-2 cells by isolated Shigella strains.

Main Results:

  • Isolated 16 Shigella species (5.2%) from 310 samples: 7 S. sonnei and 9 S. flexneri.
  • Demonstrated invasive phenotype in 44.4% of S. sonnei and 42.8% of S. flexneri isolates.
  • Confirmed that not all Shigella species possess the ability to invade intestinal epithelial cells.

Conclusions:

  • Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri are prevalent human pathogens.
  • The ability to invade epithelial cells contributes to Shigella's virulence and survival.
  • The cell culture method is reliable for detecting Shigella invasive behavior.

Keywords:
HEp-2Shigella spp.cell culturecell invasiondiarrhea

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