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Current Trends in Plague Research: From Genomics to Virulence

Xiao-Zhe Huang, PhD, Division of Communicable Diseases and Immunology, Department of Bacterial Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Mikeljon P. Nikolich, PhD, Division of Communicable Diseases and Immunology, Department of Bacterial Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Luther E. Lindler, PhD, Division of Communicable Diseases and Immunology, Department of Bacterial Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and Department of Homeland Security, National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD 21703

Reprint Requests: Xiao-Zhe Huang, PhD, Division of Communicable Immunology, Department of Bacterial Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA. Tel: 301-319-9648; Fax: 301-319-9123, E-mail: xiaozhe.huang{at}na.amedd.army.mil

Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of plague, which diverged from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis within the past 20,000 years.Although these two species share a high degree of homology at the DNA level (>90%), they differ radically in their pathogenicity and transmission. In this review, we briefly outline the known virulence factors that differentiate these two species and emphasize genetic studies that have been conducted comparing Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis.These comparisons have led to a better understanding of the genetic contributions to the differences in the virulence and pathogenicity between these two organisms and have generated information that can be applied in future diagnostic and vaccine development. Comparison of the genetic differences between Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis has also lent insight into the emergence of acute pathogens from organisms causing milder diseases.

Key Words: Genomic comparison • Virulence • Yersinia spp

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