African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5233

Full Length Research Paper

Multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis of Bacillus anthracis isolated from a human-animal anthrax outbreak in the Luangwa valley of Zambia

Kalumbi Malama Mox
  • Kalumbi Malama Mox
  • Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
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Hang’ombe Bernard Mudenda*
  • Hang’ombe Bernard Mudenda*
  • Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Mulenga Evans
  • Mulenga Evans
  • Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Moonga Ladslav
  • Moonga Ladslav
  • Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Muwowo Sergio
  • Muwowo Sergio
  • Chama District Health Management Team, Chama, Zambia
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Squarre D
  • Squarre D
  • Zambia Wildlife Authority, Private Bag 1, Chilanga, Zambia
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Mwansa James C. L.
  • Mwansa James C. L.
  • Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
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  •  Received: 23 December 2013
  •  Accepted: 21 February 2014
  •  Published: 12 March 2014

Abstract

The incidence of anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, in human and animal population of Zambia has increased recently. In this study, 34 strains of Bacillus anthracis from soil, hippopotamuses and humans, isolated in the 2011 outbreak were analyzed using the multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis. The analysis revealed that a single anthrax clone may have been involved in the epidemic. Considering the cyclical nature of B. anthracis, a link could be established with anthrax spores in soil getting ingested by hippopotamuses, followed by human contact resulting into an animal-human epidemic. These data confirm the importance of molecular typing methods for in-depth epidemiological analyses of anthrax epidemics.

 

Key words: Bacillus anthracis, hippopotamuses, variable number tandem repeat (VNTRs), epidemic, human.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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