Studies on virulence of Shigella flexneri

The antigenic structure and some biological properties were compared in virulent S. flexneri strains of differences in: 1) antigenic composition; 2) biochemical activity; 3) sensitivity to a set of Shigella phages and 4) susceptibility to phagocytosis. The only difference found concerned the LD50 for mice; it was 10 to 100 times larger for avirulent than for virulent strains of S. flexneri. The toxic products of the strains were also compared. The lipopolisaccharide and free endotoxin purified from virulent and avirulent variants behaved similarly when tested for: LD50, pyrogenicity and the local Shwartzman reaction. A striking difference was demonstrated in the ultrastructure of lipopolisaccharide and free endotoxin isolated from virulent and avirulent variant of S. flexneri 3a.