Journal of North Khorasan

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague is a Gram negative rod belonging to family of Entrobacteriaceae. CDC has categorized the organism as a priority A biological agent because of its high morbidity and mortality and easy distribution through infective respiratory droplets. We conducted a comprehensive study for the conventional, molecular and modern diagnostic methods of the organism. Biological safety, cultivation and detection assays are the main parts of the present paper. Y.pestis can be recognized in the laboratory by bacteriologic, serologic and molecular methods. Currently, there are various homemade and commercially molecular methods to apply in the clinical laboratories. Culture based methods to detect Yersinia pestis are laborious and time consuming. The molecular methods are rapid, accurate and reliable, so they have high potential to apply in clinical laboratories.