[Diagnostic value of individual tests for classification of Shigella]

A total of 1243 strains of enterobacteria were studied by four tests (mobility, lysis with dysentery polyvalent bacteriophage, relation to Christensen's citrate and salicin) for the purpose of determining shigellae genera. A combination of signs characteristic of Shigella genus was observed in 99.1% of laboratory and in 100% of freshly-isolated strains. No such combination was found in any other of the representatives of Enterobacteriaceae family. The tests under study are recommended for the work in practical laboratories to ascertain the reference to Shigella genus of cultures suspected of being Shigellae by the results of growth on combined medium (Olkenisky's, Kligler's, etc.).