Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Yersinia pestis

Abstract

Yersinia pestis is a human pathogen and can cause serious disease. Biosafety level 3 (BSL3) is required when handling this microorganism and all work requires a biological safety cabinet. For pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), dedicated BSL3 PFGE equipment or a documented procedure that ensures that all viable bacteria are inactivated is required. All plasticware and glassware that comes into contact with the cultures should be disinfected/sterilized or disposed of in a safe manner, according to the guidelines of institution. This includes decontamination of pipettes, spatulas, etc. that were in contact with the cell suspensions or plugs. Disinfection of reusable plug molds should be done before they are washed; the disposable plug molds, including the tape and the tab that was used to push the plugs out of the wells, are also contaminated and should be disinfected with 10 % bleach for at least 30 min if they will be washed and reused.