E.I. Eremenko, S.V. Pisarenko, L.Yu. Aksenova, A.G. Ryazanova, A.M. Zhirov, O.V. Semenova, O.V. Bobrisheva, D.A. Kovalev, A.N. Kulichenko
Anthrax is a dangerous zoonotic diseasewithglobal distribution presenting a problem for publichealth and veterinary medicine in many countries,including Russia.The phylogenetic structure of the global Bacillus anthracis population is based on the clonal nature of the pathogen and data obtained frommultiple-locus analysis of variable number of tandem repeats (MLVA) and analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of isolates. It is determined by three main genetic lineages (clades) - A, B, C, 12 subclades including 4 main monophyletic subcladesand several “canonical” SNP groups. We estimated the molecular diversity of B.anthracis isolates from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan using wholegenome sequencing-based analysis of SNP andMLVA. The high molecular variety of strains isolated in Russia and some adjacent countries is established.Among 58 isolates 26 belonged to the canSNP group A.Br.105 (TransEurAsiapolytomy – TEA Br008/011, sublineage Tsiankovskii) including isolates from Russia, Ukraine and Moldova.5 strains from Russia belonged to the group A.Br.118 (TEA Br.008/011, sublineage STI).These data are consistent with the idea that members of TEA subclade are most commonly observed.8 isolates from Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan made up the group A.Br.014 (subclade Aust94). 3 isolates from Russia, Uzbekistan and Ukraine were part of group A.Br.034 (Ancient A subclade). It is interesting to mention that Ukrainian strain was isolated from patient who contracted anthrax due to contactwith leather imported from Ethiopia. 2 isolates from Russia inhered to the group A.Br.081 (subclade Ames). Both isolates from Turkmenistan belonged to the group A.Br.074 (subclade Vollum).11 isolates from Russia and one from Georgia were part of the group B.Br.002 (B.Branch), 7 strains were isolated in Asian part and 4 in European part of Russia. A vast territory of Russia with different environmental conditions and several historical and modern trade routes connecting it with adjacent countries couldexplainhigh genetic diversity of anthrax pathogen strains isolated in this territory.