ObjectivesShigella sonnei is a globally important diarrhoeal pathogen tracked through the surveillance network PulseNet Latin America and Caribbean (PNLA&C), which participates in PulseNet International. PNLA&C laboratories use common molecular techniques to track pathogens causing foodborne illness. We aimed to demonstrate the possibility and advantages of transitioning to whole genome sequencing (WGS) for surveillance within existing networks across a continent where S. sonnei is endemic.MethodsWe applied WGS to representative archive isolates of S. sonnei (n = 323) from laboratories in nine PNLA&C countries to generate a regional phylogenomic reference for S. sonnei and put this in the global context. We used this reference to contextualise 16 S. sonnei from three Argentinian outbreaks, using locally generated sequence data. Assembled genome sequences were used to predict antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes and identify AMR determinants.ResultsS. sonnei isolates clustered in five Latin American sublineages in the global phylogeny, with many (46%, 149 of 323) belonging to previously undescribed sublineages. Predicted multidrug resistance was common (77%, 249 of 323), and clinically relevant differences in AMR were found among sublineages. The regional overview showed that Argentinian outbreak isolates belonged to distinct sublineages and had different epidemiologic origins.ConclusionsLatin America contains novel genetic diversity of S. sonnei that is relevant on a global scale and commonly exhibits multidrug resistance. Retrospective passive surveillance with WGS has utility for informing treatment, identifying regionally epidemic sublineages and providing a framework for interpretation of prospective, locally sequenced outbreaks.

The synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties of an unprecedented one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer containing [Fe2(S2C6H2Cl2)4](2-) entities bridged by dicationic [K2(μ-H2O)2(THF)4](2+) units are described. The magnetic properties show that the title compound presents pairwise Fe-Fe antiferromagnetic interactions that can be well reproduced with a S = 1/2 dimer model with an exchange coupling, J = -23 cm(-1). The electrical conductivity measurements show that the title compound is a semiconductor with an activation energy of about 290 meV and two different transitions, both with large hysteresis of about 60 and 30 K at 260-320 K and 350-380 K, respectively. These two transitions are assumed to be due to slight structural changes in the cation-anion interactions. Differential Scanning Calorimetry confirms the presence of both transitions. This compound represents the first sample of a coordination polymer showing electrical bistability.

Coordination polymer chains have been formed by the direct reaction between HSC6H2Cl2SH and FeCl3·6H2O in the presence of an aqueous solution of the corresponding alkali-metal hydroxide (M = Li, Na, and K) or carbonate (M = Rb and Cs). The structures consist of dimeric [Fe2(SC6H2Cl2S)4](2-) entities bridged by [M2(THF)4] [M = K (1), Rb (2), and Cs (3); THF = tetrahydrofuran] or {[Na2(μ-H2O)2(THF)2] (5 and 5') units. The smaller size of the lithium atom yields an anion/cation ion-pair molecule, [Li(THF)4]2[Fe2(SC6H2Cl2S)4] (4), in which the dianionic moieties are held together by Cl···Cl interactions. Electrical characterization of these compounds shows a general semiconductor behavior in which the conductivity and activation energies are mainly determined by the M-Cl and M-S bond distances. Compounds 1 and 5' are interesting examples of bistability showing reversible transitions centered at ca. 350 and 290 K with very large hysteresis of ca. 60 and 35 K, respectively. All of these compounds exhibit intradimer strong antiferromagnetic Fe···Fe interactions.

Two electronically unsaturated tetraruthenium clusters, Ru 4 (CO) 9 (µ-PPh 2 )[µ 4 -Ph 2 PCC(Ph)CC(Ph)] (2) and Ru 4 (CO) 10 (µ-PPh 2 )[µ 4 -Ph 2 PC(Ph)CCC(Ph)] (3), with spiked-triangular and open-chain structures have been synthesized via head-to-tail and head-to-head coupling of binuclear acetylides: cluster 2 contains a coordinatively unsaturated metal center and undergoes a fully reversible triple addition of carbon monoxide to afford Ru 4 (CO) 11 (µ-PPh 2 )[µ 4 -Ph 2 PC(O)CC(Ph)CC(Ph)] (4).