Application of mass spectrometry as a confirmatory tool for Shigella pathogen identification

摘要

Shigella and Escherichia coli strains are closely related genera and do not formed specific clusters at the protein level. Shigella strains could be easily differentiated from E. coli strains using a multivariate variable analysis with Ward clustering of reproducible peptide generated using strain specific databases. More than 148 potential Shigella peptide biomarkers that could be used to differentiate Shigella genera from E.Coli were identified. Few peptide biomarkers were identified that allow the identification at the strain level of S. flexneri and S. sonnei. These biomarkers were specific but not present in all strains tested. A 24h proteomic protocol could be used to confirm single colony Shigella genera identification.