PandemicVibrio parahaemolyticusO3:K6, Europe

allows distinction at the species level, and can be applied directly on clinical and forensic samples.The discovery of a unique sequence is critical to authenticate results in such controversial areas as paleomicrobiology (5).Fortunately, we have identified a unique sequence that contains several mutations.These mutations do not exclude this strain from being Y. pestis (see Figure ).Additionally, we doubt that our conclusions would have been accepted had we simply used the VNTR, demonstrating only an amplicon of the right size on a gel.In conclusion, our results have been validated by others.The sequence is original and, therefore, authentic.Dr. Vergnaud agrees that the results we presented did represent a sequence associated with the Orientalis biovar.This finding may end the controversy.