Identification of Bacillus anthracis Isolated from Soil of the Animal Burial Site

The usage of modern gene engineering methods makes it possible not only to identify anthrax strains isolated from soil, but also to hold out comparative molecular genetic assays with these strains. Carried out was the laboratory research of 80 soil samples isolated from the old animal burial site using microbiological and genetic techniques. Epidemiological significance of the isolated strains was evaluated on the basis of the results of PCR with species-specific primers and multi-locus VNTR-analysis data. Extracted were the six strains, three of which were classified as B. anthracis, and the rest - as closely related bacillus. Demonstrated was the possibility to use this particular complex method for anthrax strains typing and their differentiation from closely related microorganisms.