Analysis of Genetic Variability of Yersinia pestis Strains (Medieval Biovar) Isolated in Natural Plague Foci of the Russian Federation and Mongolia

• Main Authors: A. I. Pavlova, G. A. Eroshenko, G. N. Odinokov, L. M. Koukleva, N. Yu. Shavina, Ya. M. Krasnov, V. V. Kutyrev
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Federal Government Health Institution, Russian Research Anti-Plague Institute “Microbe” 2012-08-01
• Series: Проблемы особо опасных инфекций
• Subjects: возбудитель чумы; средневековый биовар; генотипы штаммов; plague agent; medieval biovar; strain genotypes
• Online Access: https://journal.microbe.ru/jour/article/view/872
• ISSN: 0370-1069; 2658-719X

Carried out is the analysis of genetic peculiarities of Yersinia pestis strains (main ssp.), isolated in natural foci of the Russian Federation and Mongolia. Determined is the fact that strains of medieval biovar characterized by typical glpD1 napA2 rhaS1 genotype circulate in 7 out of 9 marmot and sandy-type foci. Strains of antique biovar characterized by glpD1 napA1 rhaS1 genotype prevail in the Trans-Baikal steppe foci. Y. pestis strains from Tuva mountain focus have similar genotype, which correlates with denitrification activity and absence of marker mutation of medieval biovar – single nucleotide substitution G→T in the 613 position of napA gene, and testifies to affiliation of these strains to antique biovar. Among Y. pestis strains isolated in Mongolia, identified are two atypical strains incapable of reducing nitrates but pertinent to antique biovar.