Whole-genome sequencing unveiled host and environment-related insights to Shigella sonnei transmission within cyclic epidemics during 2000-2012 in Israel. The Israeli reservoir contains isolates belonging to S. sonnei lineage III but of different origin, shows loss of tetracycline resistance genes, and little genetic variation within the O antigen: highly relevant for Shigella vaccine development.
Keywords: Bedouin; Beer Sheva; Israel; Israeli Arabs; Mevaseret; Shigella sonnei; Whole-genome sequencing; Zion; children; flexneri; microevolution; migration; overcrowding; person-to-person transmission; secular Jews; shigellosis; tetracycline; ultraorthodox Jews.