IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BACILLUS-ANTHRACIS BY MULTIPLEX PCR ANALYSIS OF SEQUENCES ON PLASMIDS PXO1 AND PXO2 AND CHROMOSOMAL DNA

Bacillus anthracis can be identified on the basis of the detection of Virulence factor genes located on two plasmids, pXO1 and pXO2. Thus is olates lacking both pXO1 and pXO2 are indistinguishable from closely r elated B. cereus group bacteria, We developed a multiplex PCR assay fo r characterization of B. anthracis isolates, and simultaneous confirma tion of the species identity independent of plasmid content. The assay amplifies lef; cya, pag (pXO1) and cap (pXO2) genes, and a B. anthrac is specific chromosomal marker, giving an easy-to-read profile. This s ystem unambiguously identified virulent (pXO1(+)/2(+)) and avirulent ( pXO(1+)/2(+), pXO1(-)/2(+) and pXO1(-)/2(-)) strains of B. anthracis a nd distinguished 'anthrax-like' strains from other B. cereus group bac teria.