title: Simultaneous real-time PCR detection of Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis.
abstract: This report describes the development of in-house real-time PCR assays using minor groove binding probes for simultaneous detection of the Bacillus anthracis pag and cap genes, the Francisella tularensis 23 KDa gene, as well as the Yersinia pestis pla gene. The sensitivities of these assays were at least 1 fg, except for the assay targeting the Bacillus anthracis cap gene, which showed a sensitivity of 10 fg when total DNA was used as a template in a serial dilution. The clinical value of the Bacillus anthracis- and Francisella tularensis-specific assays was demonstrated by successful amplification of DNA from cases of cow anthrax and hare tularemia, respectively. No cross-reactivity between these species-specific assays or with 39 other bacterial species was noted. These assays may provide a rapid tool for the simultaneous detection and identification of the three category A bacterial species listed as biological threats by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
authors.affiliation: BC-Defence and Environmental Health Unit, Centre of Military Medicine and Centre for Biological Threat Preparedness, Tukholmankatu 8A, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skottman
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Piiparinen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hyytiäinen
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Myllys
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skurnik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nikkari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D023482:Bioterrorism; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D034621:Hares; D010930:Plague / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014406:Tularemia / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification