Molecular characterization of an outbreak-involved Bacillus anthracis strain confirms the spillover of anthrax from West Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, remains a major global public health concern, especially in countries with limited resources. Sierra Leone, a West African country historically plagued by anthrax, has almost been out of report on this disease in recent decades. In this study, we described a large-scale anthrax outbreak affecting both animals and humans and attempted to characterize the pathogen using molecular techniques.

Methods

The causative agent of the animal outbreak in Port Loko District, Sierra Leone, between March and May 2022 was identified using the nanopore sequencing technique. A nationwide active surveillance was implemented from May 2022 to June 2023 to monitor the occurrence of anthrax-specific sy

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10788998 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature