Microbiological Methods Used in the Enterics for Global Health <i>Shigella</i> Surveillance Study
Bri’Anna Horne, Henry Badji, Md Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Lucero Romaina Cachique, Jennifer Cornick, Aneeta Hotwani, Jane Juma, John B. Ochieng, Mahamadou Abdou, Evans Apondi, Hannah E Atlas, Alex O Awuor, Kate S. Baker, Bubacarr E Ceesay, Mary Charles, Nigel A. Cunliffe, Erika Feutz, Sean R. Galagan, Ibréhima Guindo, M Jahangir Hossain, Junaid Iqbal, Fatima Jallow, Noumou Yakhouba Keita, Farhana Khanam, Karen L. Kotloff, Victor Maiden, Katia Manzanares Villanueva, Oscar Mito, Md Parvej Mosharraf, Joseph Nkeze, Usman N. Ikumapayi, Maribel Paredes Olórtegui, Patricia B. Pavlinac, Tackeshy Pinedo Vasquez, Firdausi Qadri, Farah Naz Qamar, Sonia Qureshi, Nazia Rahman, Aminata Sangare, Sunil Kumar Sen, Pablo Peñataro Yori, Mohammad Tahir Yousafzai, Dilruba Ahmed, Khuzwayo C. Jere, Margaret Kosek, Richard Omore, Jasnehta Permala-Booth, Ousman Secka, Sharon M. Tennant
Abstract
Abstract Background Shigella is a major cause of diarrhea in young children worldwide. Multiple vaccines targeting Shigella are in development, and phase 3 clinical trials are imminent to determine efficacy against shigellosis. Methods The Enterics for Global Health (EFGH) Shigella surveillance study is designed to determine the incidence of medically attended shigellosis in 6- to 35-month-old children in 7 resource-limited settings. Here, we describe the microbiological methods used to isolate and identify Shigella. We developed a standardized laboratory protocol for isolation and identification of Shigella by culture. This protocol was implemented across all 7 sites, ensuring consistency and comparability of results. Secondary objectives of the study are to determine the antibiotic resistance profiles of Shigella, compare isolation of Shigella from rectal swabs versus whole stool, and compare isolation of Shigella following transport of rectal swabs in Cary-Blair versus a modified buffered glycerol saline transport medium. Conclusions Data generated from EFGH using culture methods described herein can potentially be used for microbiological endpoints in future phase 3 clinical trials to evaluate vaccines against shigellosis and for other clinical and public health studies focused on these organisms.