Detection of virulence genes of Shigella flexneri 4c isolated in Beijing

Objective To investigate and analyze the biochemical characteristics and virulence genes of Shigella flexneri 4c isolated in Beijing.Methods Totally 44 S.flexneri 4c isolates from diarrhea patients in Beijing were systematically determined with biochemical reactions and serological tests.Detections of ipaH,setlA,setlB,sen,ial,and virF virulence genes were performed using PCR.Results All the S.flexneri 4c isolates could ferment glucose,mannitol,melibiose,and arabinose.Presence of ipaH,setlA,setlB,sen,ial,and virF virulence genes were identified among 100%, 97.7%, 100%, 77.2%,72.7%, and 77.2% of 44 tested isolates, respectively.Conclusion Presence of virulence genes associated with strong path ogenicity was found in a high proportion of Shisella flexneri 4c isolates.