Changed epidemiology of anthrax and molecular characteristics of Bacillus anthracis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

Anthrax is a natural foci disease in Inner Mongolia, which poses a severe threat to public health. In this study, the incidence number, rate and constituent ratio were used to describe the epidemiological characteristics of anthrax in the region from 1956-2018. The molecular correlation and genetic characteristics of the strains were investigated using canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (CanSNP), multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA-15) and whole genome sequencing (WGS).

Genetic source tracking of an anthrax outbreak in Shaanxi province, China.

Background: Anthrax is an acute zoonotic infectious disease caused by the bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis. From 26 July to 8 August 2015, an outbreak with 20 suspected cutaneous anthrax cases was reported in Ganquan County, Shaanxi province in China. The genetic source tracking analysis of the anthrax outbreak was performed by molecular epidemiological methods in this study.

Optimization of Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis Procedure for Bacillus cereus.

In order to develop a rapid and reliable method for B. cereus genotyping, factors influencing PFGE results, including preparation of bacterial cells embedded in agarose, lysis of embedded cells, enzymatic digestion of intact genomic DNA, and electrophoresis parameters allowing for reproducible and meaningful DNA fragment separation, were controlled. Optimal cellular growth (Luria-Bertani agar plates for 12-18 h) and lysis conditions (4 h incubation with 500 µg/mL lysozyme) produced sharp bands on the gel.

[Study on the single nucleotide polymorphism in capsule plasmid gene of Bacillus anthracis in the China isolates].

Objective: To study the characteristic of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in capsule plasmid gene of Bacillus anthracis isolated from China.

Methods: 95 Bacillus anthracis isolates from different sources were selected. 23 SNP sites were amplified by PCR method, sequenced and analyzed by clustering analysis.

[Study on the identification characteristics of rRNA genes on Yersinia pestis].

Objective: To study the identification characteristics of rRNA genes on Yersinia (Y.) pestis.

Methods: By means of comparative genomics, we compared the rRNA genome sequences of nine completely sequenced strains of Y.

[Use of variable-number tandem repeats to examine genetic diversity of Bacillus anthracis].

Objective: To study the genotyping of Bacillus anthracis based on multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeats(VNTR) in the B. anthracis genome.

Methods: We selected 13 VNTR loci (which cited from published articles) to study 88 strains of B.

[Molecular biological characteristics and genetic significance of Yersinia pestis in China].

Objective: To understand the molecular biological characteristics in order to analyse the genetic background of Yersinia pestis in China.

Methods: Primary datum on ribotyping, pulsed field gene electrophoresis (PFGE), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and insertion sequence (IS) of Yersinia pestis were used and under cluster analysis. Genetic interval and various methods of recognized molecular feature between different strains were evaluated.

[The geographical distribution of ribotypes of Yersinia pestis in China].

Objective: To type and group the Yersinia pestis strains isolated in China to clarify the geographical distribution of ribotypes of Yersinia pestis.

Methods: Genomic DNA of Yersinia pestis were digested with EcoR I, then hybridized with 16s-23s-5s rRNA gene probe.

Results: These tested strains were divided into 3 ribotypes, the profiles obtained were relatively homogeneous, with most of them differed only by the presence or the absence of 1 - 2 restriction fragments.

[Genetic analysis of Yersinia pestis strains isolated in China].

Objective: The strains of Yersinia pestis isolated in different period and different natural foci in China were analyzed.

Methods: Traditional and molecular biological methods were used. Rhamnose fermentation, rRNA gene copy number, nitrite reduction, and the glycerol fermentation were important characters for typing, and pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profile could reflect the genetic distance between the strains.

[The 102 kb pigmentation (pgm) locus of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti].

Objective: To find out the differences between 102 kb pgm locus of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti with of other types, and the characters of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti caused by their makeup of the 102 kb pgm locus.

Methods: 102 kb pgm locus of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti and Yersinia pestis isolated from Marmota himalayana were amplified by polymerase chain reation (PCR) with 25 pair of nested primers. The PCR products of one pair of primer were obviously different, and then cloned and sequenced.