Detection of New Variable DNA Loci That Distinguish Medievalis Biovar Strains of Plague Agent from the Strains of Other Biovars

Abstract

Variable chromosome loci have been searched, that differentiate Yersinia pestis strains of medievalis from antiqua biovars. The strains of medievalis biovar are shown to possess two deletions – 183 and 70 bps. The first deletion, localized in the inter-gene region aceA – aceK is present in the majority of medievalis biovar strains, the second one, in the gene y1694 , is determined in all medievalis biovar strains isolated in the territory of Russia and neighboring countries.