A Study on molecular characterization of Razi Bacillus anthracis Sterne ۳۴F۲ substrain in Iran

Anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, has affected humans since ancient times. For genomic characterization of Razi B. anthracis Sterne ۳۴F۲ substrain, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping method developed by Van Erth, variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR)-۸ analysis proposed by Keim, and multiple-locus VNTR analysis (MLVA)-۳ introduced by Levy were employed. In the SNPs typing system, where the nucleotide content of the genome at ۱۳ evolutionary canonical loci was collectively analyzed, the originally South African ۳۴F۲ substrain was categorized in the A.Br.۰۰۱/۰۰۲ subgroup. In the VNTR-۸ analysis, fragments with lengths of ۳۱۴, ۲۲۹, ۱۶۲, ۵۸۰, ۵۳۲, ۱۵۸, and ۱۳۷ bp were identified at the following loci: vrrA, vrrB۱, vrrB۲, vrrC۱, vrrC۲, CG۳, and pxO۱, respectively. In addition, application of Levy's MLVA-۳ genotyping method revealed that the genome of this strain carried ۹۴۱, ۴۵۱, and ۸۶۴ bp fragments at AA۰۳, AJ۰۳, and AA۰۷ loci, respectively. The present findings are undoubtedly helpful in meeting the requirements set by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and World Health Organization (WHO) for anthrax vaccine manufacturers including Razi Institute. However, further similar studies are required to promote the current epidemiological knowledge of anthrax in Iran.

کلیدواژه ها:

Iran ، Anthrax ، Max Sterne