Related Experiment Videos
Differentiation of Shigella by esterase electrophoretic polymorphism.
1Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Xavier Bichat (Université Paris VII), France.
Journal of General Microbiology
|April 1, 1987
Summary
This study differentiated Shigella from E. coli using esterase enzyme analysis, revealing distinct patterns for Shigella species and serotypes. Findings suggest Shigella boydii serotype 13 may represent a new species based on its unique esterase profile.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Shigella and Escherichia coli share similarities, complicating their differentiation.
- Esterase enzymes offer potential biochemical markers for bacterial classification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate Shigella species from E. coli using electrophoretic analysis of esterase enzymes.
- To investigate the potential of esterase profiles for classifying Shigella strains and serotypes.
Main Methods:
- Electrophoretic mobilities of four esterases (A, B, C, I) were analyzed in 182 Shigella strains and 636 E. coli strains.
- Discriminant and principal components analyses were employed to interpret esterase distribution patterns.
Main Results:
- Shigella was distinguished from E. coli by allozyme distribution of esterases C and I.
- Principal components analysis identified four major Shigella clusters: S. dysenteriae serotype 1; S. flexneri serotypes 1-5; S. flexneri serotype 6 and S. boydii serotypes 2, 4; and S. sonnei.
- Distinct carboxylesterase B variants characterized three of these clusters.
Conclusions:
- Esterase enzyme electrophoresis provides a reliable method for differentiating Shigella from E. coli.
- Esterase profiles support the classification of Shigella strains into distinct species and serotypes.
- Shigella boydii serotype 13 exhibits a unique esterase pattern, suggesting it may be a distinct species.