Anthrax Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Anthrax, including details on bacillus anthracis, contagiousness, exposure, effects.

Specific Bacillus anthracis identification by a plcR-targeted restriction site insertion-PCR (RSI-PCR) assay.

Gierczyński R, Zasada AA, Raddadi N, Merabishvili M, Daffonchio D, Rastawicki W, Jagielski M

Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska, Poland.

A RSI-PCR assay was developed for the detection of a Bacillus anthracis-specific nonsense mutation in the plcR gene. The assay specificity was tested using 170 Bacillus spp. strains including 47 strains of B. anthracis. The plcR RSI-PCR distinguished Bacillus cereus group strains closely related to B. anthracis from the anthrax agent. The assay was found to be a robust, simple and cost effective tool for B. anthracis identification. In contrast to previously developed real time PCR-based methods, the RSI-PCR needs basic molecular biology equipment only, and thus may be easily introduced in developing countries, where anthrax is endemic.

Published 21 June 2007 in FEMS Microbiol Lett, 272(1): 55-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Anthrax Research Today. All Rights Reserved.