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Degabriel M, Valeva S, Boisset S, Henry T. Pathogenicity and virulence of Francisella tularensis. Virulence 2023; 14:2274638. [PMID: 37941380 PMCID: PMC10653695 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2274638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tularaemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium, Francisella tularensis. Depending on its entry route into the organism, F. tularensis causes different diseases, ranging from life-threatening pneumonia to less severe ulceroglandular tularaemia. Various strains with different geographical distributions exhibit different levels of virulence. F. tularensis is an intracellular bacterium that replicates primarily in the cytosol of the phagocytes. The main virulence attribute of F. tularensis is the type 6 secretion system (T6SS) and its effectors that promote escape from the phagosome. In addition, F. tularensis has evolved a peculiar envelope that allows it to escape detection by the immune system. In this review, we cover tularaemia, different Francisella strains, and their pathogenicity. We particularly emphasize the intracellular life cycle, associated virulence factors, and metabolic adaptations. Finally, we present how F. tularensis largely escapes immune detection to be one of the most infectious and lethal bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Degabriel
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, LYON, France
| | - Stanimira Valeva
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, LYON, France
| | - Sandrine Boisset
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, LYON, France
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CHU Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, UMR5075, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Thomas Henry
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, LYON, France
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de Vries MC, Hoeve-Bakker BJA, van den Beld MJC, Hendriks ACA, Harpal ASD, Noomen RCEA, Reubsaet FAG. Identification of Francisella tularensis Subspecies in a Clinical Setting Using MALDI-TOF MS: An In-House Francisella Library and Biomarkers. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040905. [PMID: 37110328 PMCID: PMC10146885 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a zoonotic bacterium that is endemic in large parts of the world. It is absent in the standard library of the most applied matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) systems: the Vitek MS and the Bruker Biotyper system. The additional Bruker MALDI Biotyper Security library contains F. tularensis without subspecies differentiation. The virulence of F. tularensis differs between the subspecies. The F. tularensis subspecies (ssp.) tularensis is highly pathogenic, whereas the subspecies holarctica displays lower virulence and subspecies novicida and F. tularensis ssp. mediasiatica are hardly virulent. To differentiate the Francisellaceae and the F. tularensis-subspecies, an in-house Francisella library was built with the Bruker Biotyper system and validated together with the existing Bruker databases. In addition, specific biomarkers were defined based on the main spectra of the Francisella strains supplemented with in silico genome data. Our in-house Francisella library accurately differentiates the F. tularensis subspecies and the other Francisellaceae. The biomarkers correctly differentiate the various species within the genus Francisella and the F. tularensis subspecies. These MALDI-TOF MS strategies can successfully be applied in a clinical laboratory setting as a fast and specific method to identify F. tularensis to subspecies level.
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Hennebique A, Caspar Y, Maurin M, Boisset S, Pelloux I, Gallego-Hernanz MP, Burucoa C, Cazenave-Roblot F, Plouzeau C, Rammaert B. Ulceroglandular Infection and Bacteremia Caused by Francisella salimarina in Immunocompromised Patient, France. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:465-467. [PMID: 35076000 PMCID: PMC8798692 DOI: 10.3201/eid2802.211380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although Francisella tularensis is a well-known, highly virulent bacterium that causes tularemia in humans, other Francisella species have been associated with sporadic human infections. We describe a human cutaneous infection with bacteremia caused by F. salimarina, a Francisella species recently identified from seawater and fishes, in an immunocompromised patient in France.
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Öhrman C, Sahl JW, Sjödin A, Uneklint I, Ballard R, Karlsson L, McDonough RF, Sundell D, Soria K, Bäckman S, Chase K, Brindefalk B, Sozhamannan S, Vallesi A, Hägglund E, Ramirez-Paredes JG, Thelaus J, Colquhoun D, Myrtennäs K, Birdsell D, Johansson A, Wagner DM, Forsman M. Reorganized Genomic Taxonomy of Francisellaceae Enables Design of Robust Environmental PCR Assays for Detection of Francisella tularensis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:146. [PMID: 33440900 PMCID: PMC7826819 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, an increasing diversity of species has been recognized within the family Francisellaceae. Unfortunately, novel isolates are sometimes misnamed in initial publications or multiple sources propose different nomenclature for genetically highly similar isolates. Thus, unstructured and occasionally incorrect information can lead to confusion in the scientific community. Historically, detection of Francisella tularensis in environmental samples has been challenging due to the considerable and unknown genetic diversity within the family, which can result in false positive results. We have assembled a comprehensive collection of genome sequences representing most known Francisellaceae species/strains and restructured them according to a taxonomy that is based on phylogenetic structure. From this structured dataset, we identified a small number of genomic regions unique to F. tularensis that are putatively suitable for specific detection of this pathogen in environmental samples. We designed and validated specific PCR assays based on these genetic regions that can be used for the detection of F. tularensis in environmental samples, such as water and air filters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Öhrman
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Jason W. Sahl
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Ingrid Uneklint
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Rebecca Ballard
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Linda Karlsson
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Ryelan F. McDonough
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - David Sundell
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Kathleen Soria
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Stina Bäckman
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Kitty Chase
- US Army Medical Research Institute, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Björn Brindefalk
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Shanmuga Sozhamannan
- Logistics Management Institute supporting Defense Biological Product Assurance Office (DBPAO) Joint Project Lead, CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies (JPL CBRND EB), Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Adriana Vallesi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Emil Hägglund
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Jose Gustavo Ramirez-Paredes
- Ridgeway Biologicals Limited a Ceva Santé Animale Company, Units 1-3 Old Station Business Park, Compton, Berkshire, England RG20 6NE, UK;
| | - Johanna Thelaus
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Duncan Colquhoun
- Fish Health Research Group, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Pb 750 Sentrum, 23 N-0106 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Kerstin Myrtennäs
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Dawn Birdsell
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Anders Johansson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology, and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - David M. Wagner
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Mats Forsman
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
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