biostudies-literatureYun HSouth Korean Government2320https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12566482biostudies-literatureUnknown13(10)Microbial forensics involves analyzing biological evidence to evaluate weaponized microorganisms or their toxins. This study aimed to detect and type <i>Yersinia pestis</i> from four simulated forensic samples-human plasma diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (#24-2), tomato juice (#24-5), grape juice (#24-8), and a surgical mask (#24-10). Notably, samples #24-10 may have contained live bacteria other than <i>Y. pestis</i>. A real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of <i>Y. pestis</i> in all samples; however, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) coverage of the <i>Y. pestis</i> chromosome ranged from 0.46% to 97.1%, largely due to host DNA interference and low abundance. To address these limitations and enable strain-level identification, we designed a hybridization-based targeMicroorganismsTyping of <i>Yersinia pestis</i> in Challenging Forensic Samples Through Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Multilocus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Regions.PMC12566482912A01201Song DHYun HLee SHGu SHLim SHfalseTyping of <i>Yersinia pestis</i> in Challenging Forensic Samples Through Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Multilocus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Regions.Microbial forensics involves analyzing biological evidence to evaluate weaponized microorganisms or their toxins. This study aimed to detect and type <i>Yersinia pestis</i> from four simulated forensic samples-human plasma diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (#24-2), tomato juice (#24-5), grape juice (#24-8), and a surgical mask (#24-10). Notably, samples #24-10 may have contained live bacteria other than <i>Y. pestis</i>. A real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of <i>Y. pestis</i> in all samples; however, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) coverage of the <i>Y. pestis</i> chromosome ranged from 0.46% to 97.1%, largely due to host DNA interference and low abundance. To address these limitations and enable strain-level identification, we designed a hybridization-based targe2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-05-15T03:16:33.533Z2026-05-15T03:11:49.556ZS-EPMC125664824115678010.3390/microorganisms13102320