Molecular Subtyping of Bacillus anthracis and the 2001 Bioterrorism-Associated Anthrax Outbreak, United States

Molecular subtyping of Bacillus anthracis played an important role in differentiating and identifying anthrax strains during the 2001 bioterrorism-associated outbreak. Because B. anthracis has a low level of genetic variability, only a few subtyping methods, with varying reliability, exist. We initially used multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) to subtype 135 B. anthracis isolates associated with the outbreak. All isolates were determined to be of genotype 62, the same as the Ames strain used in laboratories. We sequenced the protective antigen gene (pagA) from 42 representative outbreak isolates and determined they all had a pagA sequence indistinguishable from the Ames strain (PA genotype I). MLVA and pagA sequencing were also used on DNA from clinical specimens, making subtyping B. anthracis possible without an isolate. Use of high-resolution molecular subtyping determined that all outbreak isolates were indistinguishable by the methods used and probably originated from a single source. In addition, subtyping rapidly identified laboratory contaminants and non-outbreak–related isolates.

• Publication year

  2002

• Venue

  Emerging Infectious Diseases

• Publication date

  2002-10-01

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.3201/eid0810.020394PMID 12396925PMCID 2730295
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Comparative Genome Sequencing for Discovery of Novel Polymorphisms in Bacillus anthracis

  2002cited by this paper
• Fatal inhalational anthrax in a 94-year-old Connecticut woman.

  2002cited by this paper
• Evaluation and Validation of a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Rapid Identification of Bacillus anthracis

  2002cited by this paper
• These include:

  2001cited by this paper
• Fluorescent Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of Norwegian Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis Soil Isolates

  2001cited by this paper
• Bioterrorism-related inhalational anthrax: the first 10 cases reported in the United States.

  2001cited by this paper
• The role of antibodies to Bacillus anthracis and anthrax toxin components in inhibiting the early stages of infection by anthrax spores.

  2001cited by this paper
• Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis Reveals Genetic Relationships within Bacillus anthracis

  2000cited by this paper
• Public-health preparedness for biological terrorism in the USA.

  2000cited by this paper
• Bacillus anthracis Diversity in Kruger National Park

  2000cited by this paper
• Vaccination against Anthrax with Attenuated Recombinant Strains of Bacillus anthracis That Produce Protective Antigen

  1999cited by this paper
• Genetic Diversity in the Protective Antigen Gene ofBacillus anthracis

  1999influential reference
• Protective efficacy of a recombinant protective antigen against Bacillus anthracis challenge and assessment of immunological markers.

  1998cited by this paper
• Molecular evolution and diversity in Bacillus anthracis as detected by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

  1997cited by this paper
• Passive protection by polyclonal antibodies against Bacillus anthracis infection in guinea pigs

  1997cited by this paper
• Comparative efficacy of experimental anthrax vaccine candidates against inhalation anthrax in rhesus macaques.

  1996cited by this paper
• Differentiation of Bacillus anthracis and other 'Bacillus cereus group' bacteria using IS231-derived sequences.

  1995cited by this paper
• Genetic variability of Bacillus anthracis and related species

  1995cited by this paper
• Experimental anthrax vaccines: efficacy of adjuvants combined with protective antigen against an aerosol Bacillus anthracis spore challenge in guinea pigs.

  1995cited by this paper

• Repetitive Sequences in the Anthrax Pathogen Genome—Use in Molecular Epidemiology and Influence on the Structure of Encoded Proteins

  2025cites this paper
• Tracking Bacillus anthracis: The Legacy of MALDI-TOF Biomarkers in Scientific Literature, a Review

  2025cites this paper
• A step-by-step guide for manufacturing a reliable and low-cost entomological dissection microvial for pinned specimens

  2025cites this paper
• Pathogenicity and Genomic Characterization of a Novel Genospecies, Bacillus shihchuchen, of the Bacillus cereus Group Isolated from Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)

  2023cites this paper
• Development of in-house diagnostic tool for the detection of Anthrax genetic material in real-time PCR

  2023cites this paper
• Features of PCR diagnosis of anthrax

  2023cites this paper
• Decontamination of Seawater in a Harbor: Case Study of Potential Bioterrorism Attack

  2021cites this paper
• SCREENING OF POSSIBLY ANTHRAX-CONTAMINATED BURIAL SITES IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN UKRAINE

  2021cites this paper
• Defense Against Biological Terrorism: Vaccines and Their Characterizations

  2020cites this paper
• Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents: Detection, Diagnosis and Health Concerns

  2020cites this paper
• Forensic analysis in bacterial pathogens

  2020cites this paper
• Molecular characterization of B. anthracis isolates from the anthrax outbreak among cattle in Karnataka, India

  2020cites this paper
• Metagenomics: Techniques, Applications, Challenges and Opportunities

  2020cites this paper
• Genetic Diversity of Australian Bacillus anthracis Isolates Revealed by Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis

  2020cites this paper
• Genetic diversity of Bacillus anthracis Ames lineage strains in China

  2020cites this paper
• Food Sensing: Detection of Bacillus cereus Spores in Dairy Products

  2020cites this paper
• Use of next generation sequencing technologies for the diagnosis and epidemiology of infectious diseases.

  2020cites this paper
• Microbial forensic investigation of the anthrax letter attacks

  2020cites this paper
• Novel Strategy for Rapidly and Safely Distinguishing Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus by Use of Peptide Mass Fingerprints Based on Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

  2020cites this paper
• Metagenomics Analyses: A Qualitative Assessment Tool for Applications in Forensic Sciences

  2020cites this paper
• Next-Generation Sequencing for Biodefense: Biothreat Detection, Forensics, and the Clinic.

  2019cites this paper
• Interested in publishing with us ? Contact book

  2019cites this paper
• Forensic public health

  2019cites this paper
• Validation of Anthrax specific pagA quantitative PCR for detection of Bacillus anthracis pXO1 plasmid

  2019cites this paper
• Proposal of a Taxonomic Nomenclature for the Bacillus cereus Group Which Reconciles Genomic Definitions of Bacterial Species with Clinical and Industrial Phenotypes

  2019cites this paper
• Rapid Presumptive Identification of Bacillus anthracis Isolates Using the Tetracore RedLine Alert™ Test

  2019cites this paper
• Molecular confirmation of the circulating Bacillus anthracis during outbreak of anthrax in different villages of Simdega District, Jharkhand

  2019cites this paper
• Whole-genome sequencing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a forensic transmission case.

  2019cites this paper
• Genotyping and phylogenetic location of one clinical isolate of Bacillus anthracis isolated from a human in Russia

  2019cites this paper
• Phylogenetic analysis of Ukrainian Bacillus anthracis strains from various sources

  2019cites this paper
• Epidemiology and Ecology of Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

  2019cites this paper
• Comparative Analysis of Genotyping Methods for Bacillus anthracis

  2019cites this paper
• Сравнительный анализ методов генетического типирования Bacillus anthracis

  2019cites this paper
• Investigation and source-tracing of an anthrax outbreak in Gansu Province, China

  2018cites this paper
• A Simplified Van Erth Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Typing Method of Bacillus Anthracis Applicable by Traditional Thermocycler Machines

  2018cites this paper
• Epidemiology of Bacterial Resistance

  2018cites this paper
• Pathogenicity, population genetics and dissemination of Bacillus anthracis.

  2018cites this paper
• Genotyping of Bacillus anthracis and Closely Related Microorganisms

  2018cites this paper
• Genetic characteristics of Bacillus anthracis isolated from northwestern China from 1990 to 2016

  2018cites this paper
• Sensitive and Specific Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assays for Fast Screening, Detection, and Identification of Bacillus anthracis in a Field Setting

  2018cites this paper
• Biological and Molecular-Genetic Properties of Bacillus anthracis strains Isolated in Siberia and Far East Regions (1959–2013)

  2018cites this paper
• Molecular Technologies for Detection of Chemical and Biological Agents

  2017cites this paper
• Genetic source tracking of an anthrax outbreak in Shaanxi province, China

  2017cites this paper
• Rapid identification of Bacillus anthracis by real-time PCR with dual hybridization probes in environmental swabs.

  2017cites this paper
• Rapid Identification of Bacillus anthracis by Real-Time PCR with Dual Hybridization 1 Probes in Environmental Swabs . 2 3

  2017cites this paper
• Natural History Collections: Teaching about Biodiversity Across Time, Space, and Digital Platforms

  2017cites this paper
• The Source and Evolutionary History of a Microbial Contaminant Identified Through Soil Metagenomic Analysis

  2017cites this paper
• Forensic Approaches to Detect Possible Agents of Bioterror

  2017cites this paper
• A Tandem Mass Spectrometry Strategy for Validating the Synthesis of Glycoconjugate Vaccines

  2017cites this paper
• Study of molecular genetic properties of vaccine strains of anthrax

  2017cites this paper
• Anthrax Toxin-Expressing Bacillus cereus Isolated from an Anthrax-Like Eschar

  2016cites this paper
• Multiplexed Metagenomic Deep Sequencing To Analyze the Composition of High-Priority Pathogen Reagents

  2016cites this paper
• Phylogenetic Characteristics of Anthrax Outbreaks in Liaoning Province, China, 2001-2015

  2016cites this paper
• Historical evolution of human anthrax from occupational disease to potentially global threat as bioweapon.

  2015cites this paper
• Genetic characterization of Bacillus anthracis in Guizhou Province, Southwest of China

  2015cites this paper
• Investigation of Anthrax Cases in North-East China, 2010-2014

  2015cites this paper
• Microevolution of Anthrax from a Young Ancestor (M.A.Y.A.) Suggests a Soil-Borne Life Cycle of Bacillus anthracis

  2015cites this paper
• Whole-Genome Sequencing in Outbreak Analysis

  2015cites this paper
• Anthrax and Bio-terrorism.

  2015cites this paper
• Bacillus and Other Aerobic Endospore-Forming Bacteria*

  2015cites this paper
• A Simplified Van Erth Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Typing Method of Bacillus Anthracis Applicable by Traditional Thermocycler Machines

  2015cites this paper
• Utilizing Illinois State University's Environmental Legacy and Historical Collections to Sustain a Global Future

  2015cites this paper
• GuIDELINES fOR THE PREPARATION Of THE PAPERS SuBmITTED fOR PuBLICATION AT THE ‘JOuRNAL fOR VETERINARY mEDICINE, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOSAfETY’

  2015cites this paper
• Use of non-human DNA analysis in forensic science: A mini review

  2014cites this paper
• Molecular characterization of Bacillus anthracis directly from patients' eschar and beef in an anthrax outbreak in Jiangsu Province, China, 2012.

  2014cites this paper
• Glycoconjugate Vaccines Used for Prevention from Biological Agents: Tandem Mass Spectrometric Analysis

  2014cites this paper
• Genotyping of French Bacillus anthracis Strains Based on 31-Loci Multi Locus VNTR Analysis: Epidemiology, Marker Evaluation, and Update of the Internet Genotype Database

  2014cites this paper
• Small molecule inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor toxin.

  2014cites this paper
• Using genomics to improve Bacillus anthracis diagnostics and outbreak investigations

  2014cites this paper
• Source tracking of an anthrax outbreak in northeastern China using complete genome analysis and MLVA genotyping

  2014cites this paper
• Detection of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Agents for the Prevention of Terrorism

  2014cites this paper
• Validation of high throughput sequencing and microbial forensics applications

  2014cites this paper
• Collections and climate change research: Flustra foliacea (L.) (Bryozoa) in the Natural History Museum, London

  2014cites this paper
• Contaminated Ventilator Air Flow Sensor Linked to Bacillus cereus Colonization of Newborns

  2013cites this paper
• Combining genetic diversity and spatio-temporal data to characterize the spatial ecology of anthrax across multiple scales

  2013cites this paper
• Current and Future Uses of DNA Microarrays in Forensic Science

  2012cites this paper
• Detection of microbial taxa in complex communities : impacts of relative abundance, gene transfer and persistence of target DNA

  2012cites this paper
• De l’usage du polymorphisme de répétitions en tandem pour l’étude des populations bactériennes : mise au point et validation d’un système de génotypage automatisé utilisant la technique de MLVA

  2012cites this paper
• Genetic populations of Bacillus anthracis isolates from Korea

  2012cites this paper
• Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus anthracis H9401, an Isolate from a Korean Patient with Anthrax

  2012cites this paper
• Swab Protocol for Rapid Laboratory Diagnosis of Cutaneous Anthrax

  2012cites this paper
• Supramolecular electrostatic nanoassemblies for bacterial forensics.

  2012cites this paper
• Forensic Public Health

  2011cites this paper
• INTERLABORATORY COMPARATIVE TESTS OF BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES OF THE NATO ARMIES

  2011cites this paper
• Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Bacillus anthracis: From Fingerprint Analysis of the Bacterium to Quantification of its Toxins in Clinical Samples

  2011cites this paper
• Aus dem Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen des Fachbereichs Veterinärmedizin der Freien Universität Berlin

  2011cites this paper
• Forensic Investigation of Biological Weapon Use

  2011cites this paper
• Bacillus anthracis comparative genome analysis in support of the Amerithrax investigation

  2011cites this paper
• Public health then and now: celebrating 50 years of MMWR at CDC. Introduction.

  2011cites this paper
• Microbial Forensics: A Powerful Tool for Pursuing Bioterrorism Perpetrators and the Need for an International Database

  2011cites this paper
• Overview: The Impact of Microbial Genomics on Food Safety

  2011cites this paper
• Microbial Forensic Investigation of the Anthrax-Letter Attacks

  2011cites this paper
• Microbial forensic investigations in the context of bacterial population genetics

  2011cites this paper
• Toxicological Effects of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Noxious Agents in Modern Warfare and Terorrism

  2010cites this paper
• Use of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profiles for Discrimination of Bacillus cereus T-Strain Spores Grown on Different Media

  2010cites this paper
• An Introduction to Forensic Genetics An Introduction to Forensic Genetics Second Edition

  2010cites this paper
• Molecular Analysis of Pathogenic Bacteria and Their Toxins

  2009cites this paper
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Investigations

  2009cites this paper
• Evaluation of five commercial nucleic acid extraction kits for their ability to inactivate Bacillus anthracis spores and comparison of DNA yields from spores and spiked environmental samples.

  2009cites this paper
• The genome and variation of Bacillus anthracis.

  2009cites this paper