The Manchester Variety of Shigella Flexneri 6 Isolated in Kentucky

Abstract

T HE AManclhester variety of Shigella flexnedi 6 lhas been found to be prevalent amonig the niormnal population of preschlool childrein in the coal mniniiig regioni of eastern Kentucky. In diarrlheal disease studies concducted by the Cumiberland(I Field Station of the Public Ilealtlh Service's Commiiuniicable Disease Center, tlis straiin was isolated one or mrlore timl-es fromn 69 clildlrein duriing a 20-montlh period. To oUI kniowledge, n1o previous reports of the identification of the Anclheliester variety in tlhe United States lhave appeared in the literature, altlhouiglh several inivestigators advise us that the strain hias been isolated in tlis country. AW.. Ewin,g of thle International Shig,ella Ceniter in Atlanta, Ga., lhas confirimled the identification of tlis straini, w-hIielh was isolated by L. F. Ey ani1d C. C. C(roft of the Olio Departmiieilt of Healtlh durinig a disease outbreak in AMlansfield, Olio, in Juily 1949. In tlis outbreak, 9 infaints (lied anid 172 of the estimntated 468 residents in ani area of substandard h1oim1es gave a hiistory of beinig ill. Ewviinr lhas said also that the MINanchlester variety lhas beeni isolated ini Louisiana, ancd W1r. NT. Fergrusoni of time Mlicltigan Departmnenit of Ilealtlh lhas reported idlelltificatioll of the str-aini ii hlis State.