J Vet Sci.  2012 Dec;13(4):385-393.

Genetic populations of Bacillus anthracis isolates from Korea

• Jung KH
• Kim SH
• Kim SK
• Cho SY
• Chai JC
• Lee YS
• Kim JC
• Kim SJ
• Oh HB
• Chai YG

Abstract

Bacillus (B.) anthracis is the pathogen that causes fatal anthrax. Strain-specific detection of this bacterium using molecular approaches has enhanced our knowledge of microbial population genetics. In the present study, we employed molecular approaches including multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and canonical single-nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) analysis to perform molecular typing of B. anthracis strains isolated in Korea. According to the MLVA, 17 B. anthracis isolates were classified into A3a, A3b, and B1 clusters. The canSNP analyses subdivided the B. anthracis isolates into two of the three previously recognized major lineages (A and B). B. anthracis isolates from Korea were found to belong to four canSNP sub-groups (B.Br.001/2, A.Br.005/006, A.Br.001/002, and A.Br.Ames). The A.Br.001/002 and A.Br.Ames sub-lineages are closely related genotypes frequently found in central Asia and most isolates were. On the other hand, B. anthracis CH isolates were analyzed that belonged to the B.Br.001/002 sub-group which found in southern Africa, Europe and California (USA). B.Br.001/002 genotype is new lineage of B. anthracis in Korea that was not found before. This discovery will be helpful for the creation of marker systems and might be the result of human activity through the development of agriculture and increased international trade in Korea.

Keyword

Bacillus anthracis; canonical single-nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP); genotyping; multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA)

MeSH Terms

Africa, Southern
Agriculture
Anthrax
Asia
Bacillus
Bacillus anthracis
California
Europe
Genetics, Population
Genotype
Hand
Human Activities
Molecular Typing
Tandem Repeat Sequences

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Genetic relationships among B. anthracis strains isolated in Korea identified by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Eight variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) marker loci were used to calculate simple matching coefficients.

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  Fig. 2 Genetic relationships among B. anthracis strains assessed by canSNP analysis. Thirteen canSNP marker loci were used to calculate simple matching coefficients.

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  Fig. 3 Genetic relationships among B. anthracis strains identified by MLVA comparison with data of Keim et al. [14] for identify worldwide patterns of distribution. Eight VNTR marker loci were used to calculate simple matching coefficients.

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