Abstract
We have developed novel Bio-Plex assays for simultaneous detection of Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Brucella spp., Francisella tularensis, and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Universal primers were used to amplify highly conserved region located within the 16S rRNA amplicon, followed by hybridized to pathogen-specific probes for identification of these five organisms. The other assay is based on multiplex PCR to simultaneously amplify five species-specific pathogen identification-targeted regions unique to individual pathogen. Both of the two arrays are validated to be flexible and sensitive for simultaneous detection of bioterrorism bacteria. However, universal primer PCR-based array could not identify Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Brucella spp. at the species level because of the high conservation of 16S rDNA of the same genus. The two suspension arrays can be utilized to detect Bacillus anthracis sterne spore and Yersinia pestis EV76 from mimic “write powder” samples, they also proved that the suspension array system will be valuable tools for diagnosis of bacterial biothreat agents in environmental samples.
Highlights
The threat of bioterrorism has attracted great attention after the letter containing anthrax spore terrified the USA and the letters with “white powder” flied all over the world [1]
Y. pestis were cultured on Hottinger’s agar (Land bridge, China), Brucella and Vibrio Parahaemolyticus were cultured on TSA medium (Difco), B. anthracis were cultured on DSM sporulation medium (Difco) [7], F. tularensis was cultured on 5% sheep blood agar
In the work discussed here, we developed two Bio-Plex assays for simultaneous detection of Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Brucella spp., Francisella tularensis, and Burkholderia pseudomallei
Summary
The threat of bioterrorism has attracted great attention after the letter containing anthrax spore terrified the USA and the letters with “white powder” flied all over the world [1]. The development of rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput diagnostic methods to fight against bioterrorism and prevent serious epidemic diseases is under urgent needs
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