Pre- and postdeployment serum samples obtained from U.S. marines in Op
erations Desert Shield and Desert Storm were tested for antibodies to
Shigella sonnei. High predeployment levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) a
nd/or IgG antibodies to S. sonnei lipopolysaccharide antigen in serum
and seroconversions were accompanied by higher IgA and/or IgG antibody
response to Shigella invasion plasmids (Ipa). The results suggest exp
osure to S. sonnei in predeployment troops and frequent exposure to th
is bacterial agent during deployment.