TaqMan Assays for Simultaneous Detection of and biovar .

Anthrax is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium . Primarily a disease of herbivores, human infections often result from direct contact with contaminated animal products (cutaneous and inhalational anthrax) or through consumption of infected meat (gastrointestinal anthrax). The genetic near neighbor, biovar (Bcbva), causes an anthrax-like illness in the wildlife and livestock of west and central Africa due to the presence and expression of -specific virulence factors in this background. While Bcbva infections have not been reported in humans, a recent seroprevalence study detected Bcbva antibodies in the rural population around Taï National Park. This work describes the development of new TaqMan multiplex PCRs for the simultaneous detection of and Bcbva. The assays are designed to amplify Ba-1, , and markers in and genomic island IV (GI4), , and in Bcbva. Our assays allow for the rapid discrimination of and Bcbva and will provide insights into the molecular epidemiology of these two important pathogens that share an overlapping geographical range in west and central Africa.