[Biochemical properties of Shigella flexneri and their practical significance]

As the result of the study of 921 S. flexneri strains 1-6 and 4 (IV: 7,8), isolated in 31 regions of the USSR in 1975-1984, their biochemical characterization by 33 tests was made. All the strains under study proved to be typical in most of their constant signs, only some of strains 2a showed deviations in mannitol and some of strains 4a, in acetate. In strains of serovar 6, circulating in the USSR, specific features with respect to dulcitol and xylose were noted. The possibility of the biochemical subserovar typing of S. flexneri 1-5, X- and Y-var., with respect to maltose, arabinose, sorbitol and rhamnose was confirmed.