SEQUENCE OF SHIGELLA BOYDII 8 O-ANTIGEN GENE CLUSTER AND IDENTIFICATION OF ITS SPECIFIC GENES

Shigella strains are important human pathogenic strains, especially in developing countries. The Shigella boydii 8-antigen gene cluster was sequenced. It was found to contain the genes expected for biosynthesis of nucleotide sugars N-acetyl-galctose, as well as genes for O unit flippase, O-antigen polymerase and potential transferase genes. By polymerase chain reaction against representative stains for the 166 Escherichia coli 43 Shigella O serogroups, we identified 6 genes that are highly specific to Shigella boydii 8. This work provides the basis for a sensitive test for the rapid detection of Shigella boydii 8.