USING PCR TO OPTIMIZE YERSINIA-PESTIS DETECTION METHOD

Three pairs of oligonucleotide primers, complementary to nucleotide sequences of Yersinia pestis plasmids (pPst, 9.5 kb; pCad, 70 kb; pFra, 95 kb), were used in polymerase chain reaction for high-sensitive specific detection of plague pathogen. Primer pairs P1, P2, C1, C2, and F1, F2 were used to amplify fragments of pla gene (plasmid pPst), yop1 gene (plasmid pCad of plague microbe), and caf1 gene (plasmid pFra), respectively. The method developed enables specific detection of strains from all natural loci in Russia and contignous states as well as strains of oceanic origin. Sensitivity of method is 50 - 100 CFU/ml. Primer sequences enable to amplify gene fragments, located in three own plasmides of plague microbe, in the same reaction mixture. The method offers identification of plague microbe and determination of its virulence and epidemic-significance.