Project description:Microbial virulence is known to emerge by horizontal gene transfer mechanisms. Here we describe the discovery of a novel filamentous prophage, designated CUS-1, which is integrated into the chromosomal dif homologue of the high-virulence clone Escherichia coli O18:K1:H7. An homologous chromosomal element (CUS-2) in Yersinia pestis biovar orientalis is integrated at the same relative location as CUS-1; both lysogenic E. coli and Y. pestis strains produce particles with properties expected of single-stranded DNA virions. CUS(phi) is epidemiologically correlated with the emergence of K1 strains with increased virulence and with the Y. pestis biovar responsible for the current (third) plague pandemic.

| S-EPMC135385 | biostudies-literature

Yersinia pestis biovar Orientalis str. India 195

Project description:Strain from India

| PRJNA30507 | ENA

Yersinia pestis biovar Antiqua str. UG05-0454

Project description:Antiqua biovar of the causative agent of plague

| PRJNA17691 | ENA