Abstract
ABSTRACTAnthrax is a zoonotic disease that occurs naturally in wild and domestic animals but has been used by both state-sponsored programs and terrorists as a biological weapon. A Soviet industrial production facility in Sverdlovsk, USSR, proved deficient in 1979 when a plume of spores was accidentally released and resulted in one of the largest known human anthrax outbreaks. In order to understand this outbreak and others, we generated a Bacillus anthracis population genetic database based upon whole-genome analysis to identify all single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across a reference genome. Phylogenetic analysis has defined three major clades (A, B, and C), B and C being relatively rare compared to A. The A clade has numerous subclades, including a major polytomy named the trans-Eurasian (TEA) group. The TEA radiation is a dominant evolutionary feature of B. anthracis, with many contemporary populations having resulted from a large spatial dispersal of spores from a single source. Two autopsy specimens from the Sverdlovsk outbreak were deep sequenced to produce draft B. anthracis genomes. This allowed the phylogenetic placement of the Sverdlovsk strain into a clade with two Asian live vaccine strains, including the Russian Tsiankovskii strain. The genome was examined for evidence of drug resistance manipulation or other genetic engineering, but none was found. The Soviet Sverdlovsk strain genome is consistent with a wild-type strain from Russia that had no evidence of genetic manipulation during its industrial production. This work provides insights into the world’s largest biological weapons program and provides an extensive B. anthracis phylogenetic reference.
Highlights
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that occurs naturally in wild and domestic animals but has been used by both statesponsored programs and terrorists as a biological weapon
We report the phylogenetic analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discovered among 193 whole-genome sequences, which provided a phylogenetic context for analysis of the Sverdlovsk samples and can be used for similar analysis of other samples of interest
The results show the power of combining modern molecular biology methods with a high-resolution curated SNP database in order to analyze a B. anthracis strain involved in a historic anthrax incident
Summary
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that occurs naturally in wild and domestic animals but has been used by both statesponsored programs and terrorists as a biological weapon. While it is known that Soviet scientists had genetically manipulated Bacillus anthracis with the potential to evade vaccine prophylaxis and antibiotic therapeutics, there was no genomic evidence of this from the Sverdlovsk production strain genome. Industrial spore production involves numerous quality control features to ensure spore stabilization, particle size, and the retention of virulence with extensive growth These statesponsored programs were to cease with the Biological Weapons Convention of 1975. The program genetically engineered hemolytic properties from Bacillus cereus into B. anthracis by the transfer of cereolysin AB genes into the STI-1 strain, again via a recombinant plasmid [8] This genetic change resulted in a strain with unique pathogenic features that could overcome the standard STI-1 vaccine protection in animal studies. Manipulation of the B. anthracis genome to change its phenotypic properties can and has been accomplished, raising concerns about dual use
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
