Original Article
Etiology of Yersinia pestis in a plague natural foci of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Dai Ruixia, He Jian, Xin Youquan, Yang Xiaoyan, Li Cunxiang, Xiong Haoming, Jin Juan, Yang Jianguo, Wei Baiqing, Li Wei
Published 2021-06-20
Cite as Chin J Endemiol, 2021, 40(6): 454-459. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn231583-20200714-00190
Abstract
ObjectiveTo analyze the pathogenic characteristics of Yersinia pestis in a plague natural foci in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
MethodsIn this study, 1 378 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from different regions, hosts and vectors in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 1954 to 2016 were taken as the research objects. Phenotypic characteristics, plasmid spectrum and genotype of the strains were studied by using conventional techniques and molecular biological techniques. The etiology and geographical distribution of the plague were studied.
ResultsThere were 6 biochemical types of Yersinia pestis in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, namely Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Qilian Mountain, Gangdis Mountain, Kunlun Mountain A, Kunlun Mountain B and Chuanqing Plateau. This study found that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau type strain was not only distributed in north Tibet Plateau, but also distributed in south Tibet, and the distribution of Gangdis Mountain type strain extended to south Tibet. Four virulence factors (capsule antigen, yersinin, virulence antigen and pigmentation factor) were found in 79.97% (1 102/1 378) Yersinia pestis. The results also showed that there were 12 kinds of plasmids carried by Yersinia pestis strains in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which constituted 17 kinds of plasmid spectrum. There were 3 kinds of the largest plasmids with taxonomic properties, forming their respective relatively independent distribution areas. The study of different regions (DFR) type showed that 5, 8, 14, 19, 32 and 44 of 1 378 strains were the main genotypes, and the main genome types had obvious geographical distribution.
ConclusionsAll the tested strains have the characteristics of plague pathogen in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The polymorphism of the main hosts, vectors and the ecological landscape of plague geography in the plague foci in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may lead to the diversity of biochemical characters, plasmid spectrum and geno types of Yersinia pestis.
Key words:
Yersinia pestis; Etiology; Plague natural foci; Control and prevention
Contributor Information
Dai Ruixia
Professional Yersinia Pestis Laboratory, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
He Jian
Professional Yersinia Pestis Laboratory, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
Xin Youquan
Professional Yersinia Pestis Laboratory, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
Yang Xiaoyan
Professional Yersinia Pestis Laboratory, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
Li Cunxiang
Professional Yersinia Pestis Laboratory, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
Xiong Haoming
Department for Plague Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
Jin Juan
Professional Yersinia Pestis Laboratory, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
Yang Jianguo
Department for Plague Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
Wei Baiqing
Department for Plague Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining 810021, China
Li Wei
Department for Plague Control, National Institute for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
