Abstract: AbstractShigella flexneriis historically regarded as the primary agent of bacillary dysentery, yet the closely-relatedShigella sonneiis replacingS. flexneri, especially in developing countries. The underlying reasons for this dramatic shift are mostly unknown. Using a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model ofShigellainfection, we discover thatS. sonneiis more virulent thanS. flexneri in vivo. Whole animal dual-RNAseq and testing of bacterial mutants suggest thatS. sonneivirulence depends on its O-antigen oligosaccharide (which is unique amongShigellaspe...
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