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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, May 2008, p. 2928-2931, Vol. 74, No. 9
0099-2240/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.02574-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Molecular Epidemiology of Bacillus anthracis: Determining the Correct Origin

Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, Postfach, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland

Received 15 November 2007/ Accepted 29 February 2008

We analyzed and compared strains of Bacillus anthracis isolated from husbandry and industrial anthrax cases in Switzerland between 1952 and 1981 with published data using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis. Strains isolated from autochthonous cases of anthrax in cattle belong to genotype B2, together with strains from continental Europe, while human B. anthracis strains clustered with genotype A4. These strains could be traced back to outbreaks of human anthrax that occurred between 1978 and 1981 in a factory processing cashmere wool from the Indian subcontinent. We interpret the worldwide occurrence of B. anthracis strains of cluster A4 to be due to the extensive global trade of untreated cashmere wool during the last century.

Published ahead of print on 7 March 2008.