We identified 3 atypical Shigella flexneri varieties in China, including 92 strains with multidrug resistance, distinct pulse types, and a novel sequence type. Atypical varieties were prevalent mainly in developed regions, and 1 variant has become the dominant Shigella spp. serotype in China. Improved surveillance will help guide the prevention and control of shigellosis.
Keywords: China; Shigella flexneri; antimicrobial resistance; atypical; bacteria; diarrheal disease; enteric infections; gram-negative bacteria; multidrug resistance; pulse type; sequence type; shigellosis; variants.