Yersinia pestis evolution on a small timescale: comparison of whole genome sequences from North America.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, was responsible for several devastating epidemics throughout history and is currently of global importance to current public heath and biodefense efforts. Y. pestis is widespread in the Western United States. Because Y. pestis was first introduced to this region just over 100 years ago, there has been little time for genetic diversity to accumulate. Recent studies based upon single nucleotide polymorphisms have begun to quantify the genetic diversity of Y. pestis in North America.

Methodology/principal findings

To examine the evolution of Y. pestis in North America, a gapped genome sequence of CA88-4125 was generated. Sequence comparison with another North American Y. pestis strain, CO92, identified seven regions of

SUBMITTER: Auerbach RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1940323 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature