Shigella Types Encountered in the Mediterranean Area.

The present communication is to report the occurrence of dysentery microorganisms in the Mediterranean area. Similar data on the Salmonella types found in that vicinity are given by Bruner and Joyce (1946). Between September, 1943, and October, 1945, more than 1,344 Shigella cultures were examined serologically 'and biochemically. These were isolated in the Section of Bacteriology of the 15th Medical General Laboratory during foodhandler examinations and in the investigation of outbreaks of bacillary dysentery or were submitted for identification from the laboratories of U. S. Army hospital units or medical laboratories. Of the 1,344 cultures, 1,182 were recovered in Italy between January, 1944, and October, 1945. Most of the remainder were isolated in North Africa (Casablanca to Bizerte) before January, 1944, although a few cultures originated in Sicily and southern France.