A comparative analysis of molecular-genetic peculiarities of the genomes of cholera, plague and anthrax agents and their evolutional transformations

Cholera, plague, and anthrax, the diseases that have accounted for millions of human victims, still endanger the entire mankind by possible development of epidemic outbreaks due to their spread or application as bioterrorist agents. Generalized results of research into the genomic features of the Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia pestis, and Bacillus anthracis are discussed. Despite different frequencies of evolutional transformations occurring in their genomes, that are likely to be associated with diverse life cycles of the pathogens, clones with altered diagnostic, and virulence characteristics were shown to have a fair probability of formation. Also presented in the review, are literature data concerning the main evolutional stages for any of these pathogens, determination of new genetic variants, consideration of the mechanisms facilitating maintenance of the microbial agents during the interepidemic periods.