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Zhang H, Zhang E, Guo M, He J, Li W, Wei J. Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Anthrax - China, 2018-2021. China CDC Wkly 2022; 4:783-787. [PMID: 36284605 PMCID: PMC9547726 DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2022.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The epidemic of human anthrax is at a low level in China in recent years, but the reported incidence increased in 2021. In order to understand the current landscape of research and knowledge about anthrax in China, the epidemiological characteristics of anthrax in humans from 2018 to 2021 were analyzed and the prevention and control suggestions were proposed. Methods Surveillance data of anthrax in humans and livestock, together with human outbreaks data during 2018-2021, were collected and analyzed by descriptive statistics methods. The number and proportion of outbreaks, cases and deaths by provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs), clinical types, and contributing factors were calculated. Results A total of 1,244 cases of human anthrax and 53 outbreaks were reported from 2018 to 2021 in China. While the incidence of anthrax declined from 2018 to 2020, it increased in 2021. The regions of anthrax were mainly located in the west and the northeast PLADs of China, though cases were reported in some central and eastern PLADs in 2021. Young and middle-aged men involved in animal husbandry were found to be at a higher risk of anthrax. All the reported outbreaks were associated with the exposure of infected livestock. A total of 296 livestock anthrax cases were reported. Conclusions The increased incidence and wider geographical distribution of human anthrax in 2021 were found to be the result of inadequate supervision of diseased animals as well as updated diagnostic criteria. As such, the monitoring of risk factors and emergency preparation procedures should be strengthened at the national level. In addition, it is also critical to strengthen health education for high-risk occupational groups and strengthen professional training for local clinicians. Finally, more measures should be carried out to strengthen anthrax surveillance in livestock husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Zhang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Enmin Zhang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Mu Guo
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali City, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Jinrong He
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Jianchun Wei
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China,Jianchun Wei,
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Yudianingtyas DW, Sumiarto B, Susetya H, Salman M, Djatmikowati TF, Haeriah H, Rahman A, Mangidi R. Identification of the molecular characteristics of Bacillus anthracis (1982-2020) isolates in East Indonesia using multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis. Vet World 2022; 15:953-961. [PMID: 35698492 PMCID: PMC9178602 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.953-961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Anthrax is one of the endemic strategic diseases in East Indonesia, particularly in the provinces of South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Gorontalo, East Nusa Tenggara, and West Nusa Tenggara. Anthrax is an important disease due to its zoonotic and economic impact on the livestock industry. This study aimed to identify the molecular characteristics of Bacillus anthracis in East Indonesia using multilocus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA). Materials and Methods: Isolates were obtained from an investigation of anthrax outbreaks in five provinces of East Indonesia from 1982 to 2020. Conventional polymerase chain reaction for B. anthracis was used to identify MLVA-8. Deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing analysis was based on MLVA-8 primers for VNTR identification of the phylogenetic relationship among 24 isolates of B. anthracis obtained from 17 distinct districts/cities in East Indonesia. Tandem Repeats Finder was used for VNTR identification, and Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis X was used to construct phylogenetic analysis. Results: In this study, 24 isolates were classified as genotype or lineage A. There were four subgroups of B. anthracis circulating in East Indonesia based on eight molecular marker loci sequence results. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that MLVA-8 typing might be useful as a subtyping tool for the epidemiological investigation of identical genotypes and low genetic diversity of B. anthracis. No other lineage of B. anthracis was circulating in East Indonesia. Other molecular methods are needed, such as extended MLVA, whole-genome sequencing, and canonical single-nucleotide polymorphism, for a more precise study of B. anthracis genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. W. Yudianingtyas
- Doctoral Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Department of Epidemiology and Veterinary Information, Disease Investigation Centre Maros, Directorate General of Livestock Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, The Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
| | - B. Sumiarto
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - H. Susetya
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mo Salman
- Department of of Clinical Sciences, Animal Population Health Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, United States of America
| | - T. F. Djatmikowati
- Bacteriology laboratory, Disease Investigation Centre Maros, Directorate General of Livestock Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, The Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
| | - Haeriah Haeriah
- Bacteriology laboratory, Disease Investigation Centre Maros, Directorate General of Livestock Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, The Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
| | - Abdul Rahman
- Bacteriology laboratory, Disease Investigation Centre Maros, Directorate General of Livestock Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, The Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
| | - R. Mangidi
- Disease Investigation Centre Maros, Directorate General of Livestock Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, The Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
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Eremenko E, Pechkovskii G, Pisarenko S, Ryazanova A, Kovalev D, Semenova O, Aksenova L, Timchenko L, Golovinskaya T, Bobrisheva O, Shapakov N, Kulichenko A. Phylogenetics of Bacillus anthracis isolates from Russia and bordering countries. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 92:104890. [PMID: 33962043 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax is a concern for public health and veterinary medicine in Russia. The available phylogenetic data on isolates from Russia and neighboring CIS countries are clearly not enough to gain a better understanding of their position in the global phylogenetic population structure of this pathogen. In this study, we analyzed the genomes of 66 Bacillus anthracis strains, which were isolated between 1935 and 2019 from different sources in Russia, as well as in Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova. Whole genome SNP analysis of genomes of 66 strains obtained in this study along with 222 B. anthracis genomes available in the GenBank database revealed 7242 SNPs used to construct a phylogenetic reconstruction with the method of Maximum Likelihood. Studied strains belong to 6 different genetic groups: A.Br.008(A.Br.008/009), A.Br.081(Ames), A.Br.014(A.Br.Aust94), A.Br.082(A.Br.001/002), A.Br.034(A.Br.005/006, Ancient A) and B.Br.002 (B.Br.001/002). Within the group A.Br.014(A.Br.Aust94) a subcluster A.Br.029 of strains isolated in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia (Republic of Dagestan) and Turkey, named Caucasus-East Anatolia (CEA), was identified. In the subgroup A.Br.105(Tsiankovskii) the cluster A.Br.117 of strains from Russia, Ukraine and Slovakia are assigned, in the subgroup A.Br118 (STI) - cluster A.Br.123 with strains from Russia and Georgia and cluster A.Br.125 with strains from Republic of Dagestan. New subclusters B.Br.017("EUROPE") were identified in the B.Br.002(B.Br.001/002) cluster, represented by strains from the European part of Russia, as well as from South Korea and Finland. For 8 clusters and subclusters, the SNP markers were identified. The study confirmed a significant genetic diversity of the strains isolated in Russia and border countries and clarified their position in the phylogenetic structure of the global B. anthracis population. New genetic clusters A.Br.029 (CEA), A.Br.117, A.Br.123, A.Br.125, and B.Br.017 («EUROPE») were defined. 96 marker SNPs specific for these clusters were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Eremenko
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation.
| | - Grigorii Pechkovskii
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey Pisarenko
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Alla Ryazanova
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitry Kovalev
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Ol'ga Semenova
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Lyudmila Aksenova
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Lyudmila Timchenko
- Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution for Higher Education "North-Caucasus Federal University", 1 Pushkina Str, 355017 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Tatyana Golovinskaya
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Ol'ga Bobrisheva
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Nikolay Shapakov
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander Kulichenko
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
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Hai Y, Wang WR, Hua Y, Guo WD, Song J, Han S, Zhang YG, Jiang XF, Zhang XH, Li ZJ, Li W, Liang XD, Han RL, Wei JC, Liu ZG. Changed epidemiology of anthrax and molecular characteristics of Bacillus anthracis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2250-2260. [PMID: 33048441 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
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). The epidemiological characteristics of anthrax in Inner Mongolia have altered significantly. The incidence of anthrax has decreased annually without vaccination, and the regional distribution of anthrax gradually transferred from central and western regions to the eastern. Moreover, the occupation distribution evolved from multiple early occupations to predominated by farmers and herdsmen. This change is closely related to policy factors and to changes in the means of production and the living habits of the local population. This indicates that reformulating the control and prevention strategies is essential. Both A. Br. Ames and A. Br. 001/002 subgroups were the predominant CanSNP genotypes of Bacillus anthracis in Inner Mongolia. A total of 36 strains constituted six shared MLVA-15 genotypes, suggesting an epidemiological link between the strains of each shared genotype. The six shared genotypes ([GT1, 9, 11 and 15] and [GT8 and 12]) consisting of 2-7 strains confirmed the occurrence of multiple point outbreaks and cross-regional transmission caused by multiple common sources of infection. Phylogenetic analysis based on the WGS core genome showed that strains from this study formed an independent clade (C.V.), and they were positioned close to each other, suggesting a common origin. Further comparison analysis should be performed to ascertain the geographic origin of these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Huhhot, China.,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Wen-Rui Wang
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Yue Hua
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Wei-Dong Guo
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Jian Song
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Song Han
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Yu-Geng Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Jiang
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Xiu-Hong Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China
| | - Zhen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Dong Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Run-Lin Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Huhhot, China
| | - Jian-Chun Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Guo Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Huhhot, China.,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, China.,State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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5
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Muller J, Mohammad I, Warner S, Paskin R, Constable F, Fegan M. Genetic Diversity of Australian Bacillus anthracis Isolates Revealed by Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060886. [PMID: 32545283 PMCID: PMC7355618 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks of anthrax occur sporadically in Australia and most commonly in the "anthrax belt", a region which extends from southern Queensland through the centre of New South Wales and into northern Victoria. Little is known about the epidemiological links between Bacillus anthracis isolates taken from different outbreaks and the diversity of strains within Australia. We used multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis employing 25 markers (MLVA25) to genotype 99 B. anthracis isolates from an archival collection of Australian isolates. MLVA25 genotyping revealed eight unique genotypes which clustered within the previously defined A3 genotype of B. anthracis. Genotyping of B. anthracis strains from outbreaks of disease in Victoria identified the presence of multiple genotypes associated with these outbreaks. The geographical distribution of genotypes within Australia suggests that a single genotype was introduced into the eastern states of Australia, followed by the spread and localised differentiation of the pathogen (MLVA25 genotypes MG1-MG6) throughout the anthrax belt. In contrast, unexplained occurrences of disease in areas outside of this anthrax belt which are associated with different genotypes, (MLVA25 genotypes MG7 and MG8) indicate separate introductions of B. anthracis into Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Muller
- Agriculture Victoria, Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions, Agribio, La Trobe University, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (I.M.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ilhan Mohammad
- Agriculture Victoria, Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions, Agribio, La Trobe University, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (I.M.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Simone Warner
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Victoria 3085, Australia;
| | - Roger Paskin
- OMNI Animal Health Consultancy, 6/35 McLaren Street, Mount Barker, South Australia 5251, Australia;
| | - Fiona Constable
- Agriculture Victoria, Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions, Agribio, La Trobe University, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (I.M.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Mark Fegan
- Agriculture Victoria, Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions, Agribio, La Trobe University, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (I.M.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
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Bruce SA, Schiraldi NJ, Kamath PL, Easterday WR, Turner WC. A classification framework for Bacillus anthracis defined by global genomic structure. Evol Appl 2020; 13:935-944. [PMID: 32431744 PMCID: PMC7232756 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a considerable global health threat affecting wildlife, livestock, and the general public. In this study, whole-genome sequence analysis of over 350 B. anthracis isolates was used to establish a new high-resolution global genotyping framework that is both biogeographically informative and compatible with multiple genomic assays. The data presented in this study shed new light on the diverse global dissemination of this species and indicate that many lineages may be uniquely suited to the geographic regions in which they are found. In addition, we demonstrate that plasmid genomic structure for this species is largely consistent with chromosomal population structure, suggesting vertical inheritance in this bacterium has contributed to its evolutionary persistence. This classification methodology is the first based on population genomic structure for this species and has potential use for local and broader institutions seeking to understand both disease outbreak origins and recent introductions. In addition, we provide access to a newly developed genotyping script as well as the full whole-genome sequence analyses output for this study, allowing future studies to rapidly employ and append their data in the context of this global collection. This framework may act as a powerful tool for public health agencies, wildlife disease laboratories, and researchers seeking to utilize and expand this classification scheme for further investigations into B. anthracis evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer A. Bruce
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity at Albany – State University of New YorkAlbanyNYUSA
| | - Nicholas J. Schiraldi
- Department of Information Technology ServicesUniversity at Albany – State University of New YorkAlbanyNYUSA
| | | | - W. Ryan Easterday
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary SynthesisDepartment of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Wendy C. Turner
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity at Albany – State University of New YorkAlbanyNYUSA
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Zhang E, Zhang H, He J, Li W, Wei J. Genetic diversity of Bacillus anthracis Ames lineage strains in China. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:140. [PMID: 32059712 PMCID: PMC7023782 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-4867-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthrax is an endemic disease that persists in the rural regions of China. The global genetic population structure of B.anthracis has also been defined by the canonical single-nucleotide polymorphisms (canSNP) and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Five canSNP lineages were found in China, and the A.Br.Ames lineage has been the second predominant group in recent years in China. The objective of this study was to reveal genetic diversity of the Ames lineage strains by MLVA. METHODS Two molecular typing methods, canSNP and MLVA with 15markers were used to study the genetic relationship among the Ames lineage strains. The outbreak information associated with these strains was also collected and investigated. RESULTS From 2007 to 2018, a total of 21 human anthrax infection outbreaks (68 patients) associated with B. anthracis Ames lineage strains were reported in China. Ames lineage strain-associated human anthrax is mainly distributed in the northern part of China, including the provinces of Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Gansu, and Xinjiang. In the study, a total of 30 Ames lineage strains were included and 10 MLVA15 genotypes were identified. These strains were mainly found in northeast China, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning. In recent years, the Ames lineage strains were isolated in the two provinces every year. The 18 Ames lineage strains isolated from Inner Mongolia were divided into eight MLVA15 genotypes. From 2010 to 2015, there were continuous reports of outbreaks in Keyouzhongqi County, Inner Mongolia, and the strains that were isolated annually in succession belonged to the MLVA15-30 genotype. CONCLUSIONS The Ames lineage strains are widely distributed in northern China. Their genetic diversity can be illustrated by the results of the MLVA. The genetic characteristics of the Ames lineage strains from outbreaks in different provinces varied. In some areas, human anthrax outbreaks occurred annually in succession, and these related strains grouped together. These observations indicate that the local environment was persistently contaminated with B. anthracis spores, vaccination of livestock should become the fundamental control measure in the areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enmin Zhang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinrong He
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianchun Wei
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Hangzhou, China.
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