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Identifying sources of human exposure to plague

Jennifer L Lowell1, David M Wagner, Bakyt Atshabar

  • 1Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3500 Rampart Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80522, USA. rzl9@cdc.gov

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) in Yersinia pestis genomes can link human plague cases to environmental sources. This method aids in distinguishing natural outbreaks from bioterrorism events.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Yersinia pestis, the bacterium causing plague, has caused devastating pandemics throughout history.
  • Plague remains a threat, endemic in several regions and recognized as a potential bioterrorism agent.
  • Distinguishing between natural and bioterrorism-induced plague outbreaks is crucial for public health response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the utility of genomic variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) for Yersinia pestis.
  • To establish a method for linking human plague isolates to environmental sources.
  • To differentiate between naturally occurring and bioterrorism-related plague events.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Yersinia pestis genomes from human cases and suspected environmental sources.
  • Typing of variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) within the Y. pestis genome.
  • Comparison of VNTR profiles to establish genetic links between isolates.

Main Results:

  • Variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) successfully linked human plague case isolates to environmental sources.
  • VNTR markers demonstrated high discriminatory power for Y. pestis strains.
  • The study provides the first evidence of VNTR utility in connecting human cases to environmental reservoirs.

Conclusions:

  • VNTR analysis is a valuable tool for epidemiological investigations of plague.
  • This genomic approach aids in the forensic analysis of potential bioterrorism incidents involving Y. pestis.
  • VNTR markers enhance our ability to track and manage plague outbreaks, whether natural or intentional.

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