Distribution of genes encoding virulence factors of Shigella strains isolated from children with diarrhea in southwest Iran

This study aimed to investigate the distribution of virulence factor genes in Shigella strains isolated from children with diarrhea southwest, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 1530 diarrheal stool specimens were collected aged under 15 years. The identified by biochemical methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Subsequently, all isolates evaluated PCR for presence nine ipaH (responsible dissemination cell cell), ial epithelial penetration), sat (displays cytopathic activity several intestinal lines), sigA (toxic cells), pic (associated colonization), pet (cytotoxic sepA (contribute inflammation virF invE (regulatory proteins). A total 91 including 47 S. flexneri, 36 sonnei, 8 boydii identified. All positive gene. other include ial, virF, invE, sigA, sat, sepA, found 84.6%, 72.5%, 68.1%, 62.6%, 51.6%, 39.5%, 37.3% 28.5% isolates, respectively. results showed a high among our region. It seems that different spp. factors contribute pathogenesis. current provided insights into some baseline information about Southwest