Identification of Yersinia Pestis of Xilingele Plateau Ecotype Isolated from China Using Insertion Sequences as Target.

Objective. This study aims to develop a strategy for distinguishing Yersinia pestis of the Xilingele Plateau ecotype from other biovar of Yersinia pestis using insertion sequences. Methods. Genome computational analysis was used to discover the positions of insertion sequences unique to Yersinia pestis 91001. PCR was used to confirm that these positions were exclusively present in the Xilingele Plateau ecotype of Yersinia pestis, while it was absent in other Yersinia species. Results. It was validated that the amplicons of IS100-45-1, IS100-51-1, IS285-40 and IS285-41 were exclusive to Yersinia pestis of the Xilingele Plateau ecotype. Conclusions. Insertion sequences could be reliable candidate biomarkers for Yersinia pestis strains of Xilingele Plateau ecotype. We can differentiate Yersinia pestis strains of Xilingele Plateau ecotype from other Yersinia pestis using simple PCR methods.