[Analysis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis molecular subtyping of Shigella strains in Shenzhen].

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the genetic relations of Shigella isolated from Shenzhen in 2001-2006 and develop primary molecular subtyping surveillance network of Shigella.

METHODS

Chromosomal DNAs from 55 isolated in agarose were digested with the restriction enzyme Xba I, and then were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns were clustered using BioNumerics software.

RESULTS

All 41 distinctive PFGE patterns were identified among 55 strains. 32 strains belonged to one cluster. Differences were observed in other strains.

CONCLUSION

Both genetic-related clones and non-related clones of Shigella existed in Shenzhen. The development of PFGE molecular subtyping surveillance network would contribute to the active surveillance, outbreak investigation and source tracking for Shigellosis.