Plague agent strains differ in intraspecific appurtenance, place of origin, as well as their virulence. Development of a rapid and reliable means of Y. pestis strain indication, their identification by intra-specific appurtenance and assessment of their virulence is a relevant issue. To solve the task, we have constructed a system of multiplex PCR with hybridization-fluorescent registration of results on solid substrate, for indication and identification of strains by their belonging to Y. pestis species, sub-species, biovars, phylogenetic lines, also by the presence of the main gene-factors of pathogenicity of chromosomal and plasmid localization. Its effectiveness is confirmed on 114 plague agent strains of various origins. The developed system of multiplex PCR with hybridization-fluorescent registration of results on solid substrate, can be applied for molecular-genetic identification of strains from natural plague foci with specification of their appurtenance to the main phylogenetic branches and assessment of virulence, for enhancement of sanitary-epidemiological control of RF territories and CIS member-states.
plague pathogen, strains, indication and identification, PCR