[The geographical distribution of ribotypes of Yersinia pestis in China].
OBJECTIVE
To type and group the Yersinia pestis strains isolated in China to clarify the geographical distribution of ribotypes of Yersinia pestis.


METHODS
Genomic DNA of Yersinia pestis were digested with EcoR I, then hybridized with 16s-23s-5s rRNA gene probe.


RESULTS
These tested strains were divided into 3 ribotypes, the profiles obtained were relatively homogeneous, with most of them differed only by the presence or the absence of 1 - 2 restriction fragments. Ribotype A and B were the most common types, which distributed in a large area in China while ribotype C was the least, only limited to a small area. There was certain correlation between the ribotypes and the plague foci, usually only one ribotype was found in one plague foci.


CONCLUSIONS
The ribotypes were stable in the plague foci. Correlation between the ribotypes of Yersinia pestis strains and their geographical origins was noticed. All 3 ribotypes had different origins, however ribotype A and ribotype C seemed to be closer related.
Wei
Jian-chun
JC
Institute for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
Yu
Dong-zheng
DZ
Hai
Rong
R
D002681:China; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005843:Geography; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / Q000235:genetics; D012341:RNA, Ribosomal, 5S / Q000235:genetics; D021521:Ribotyping; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S; D012341:RNA, Ribosomal, 5S