Molecular Epidemiology of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria Strains from the Balkan Peninsula Revealed by a New Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis Scheme

Bacterial spot of pepper and tomato is caused by at least three species Xanthomonas, among them two pathovars Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, which are responsible for significant yield losses on all continents. In order to trace back the spread bacterial pathogens within countries, we developed first multilocus variable number tandem repeat analyses (MLVA) scheme pepper- tomato-pathogenic strains X. euvesicatoria. this work, assessed numbers DNA sequencing 16 loci applied new tool analyse a representative set 88 euvesicatoria from Bulgaria North Macedonia. The MLVA-16 resulted in Hunter–Gaston Discriminatory Index (HGDI) score 0.944 allowed resolve 36 MLVA haplotypes (MTs), thus demonstrating its suitability high-resolution molecular typing. Strains different regions Macedonia were found be widespread genetically distant clonal complexes or singletons. Sequence types repeats (VNTR) amplicons revealed cases size homoplasy suggested coexistence populations introduction events. large geographical distribution MTs existence epidemiologically closely related countries suggest long dispersal area.