Two live attenuated Shigella flexneri 2a strains WRSf2G12 and WRSf2G15: a new combination of gene deletions for 2nd generation live attenuated vaccine candidates.

Shigella infections are a major cause of inflammatory diarrhea and dysentery worldwide. First-generation virG-based live attenuated Shigella strains have been successfully tested in phase I and II clinical trials and are a leading approach for Shigella vaccine development. Additional gene deletions in senA, senB and msbB2 have been engineered into second-generation virG-based Shigella flexneri 2a strains producing WRSf2G12 and WRSf2G15.

Osmoregulated periplasmic glucans synthesis gene family of Shigella flexneri.

Unlabelled: Osmoregulated periplasmic glucans (OPGs) of food- and water-borne enteropathogen Shigella flexneri were characterized. OPGs were composed of 100% glucose with 2-linked glucose as the most abundant residue with terminal glucose, 2-linked and 2,6-linked glucose also present in high quantities. Most dominant backbone polymer chain length was seven glucose residues.