New Shigella Monoclonal Antibodies

Shigellosis is a foodborne gastrointestinal illness caused by several species of Shigella bacteria. Transmission is via the faecal-oral route and symptoms include cramps and diarrhoea which can progress to dysentery.

Shigella sonnei is the leading cause of disease in industrialised countries while Shigella flexneri is the most common species seen in developing countries; the predominate serotype being Shigella flexneri 2a.

ViroStat has recently released two sets of new Monoclonal Antibodies to Shigella: one set specific to Shigella sonnei and another set specific to Shigella flexneri 2a. Potential applications for these include direct bacterial detection by ELISA and lateral flow rapid tests.