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Isidro J, Escudero R, Luque-Larena JJ, Pinto M, Borges V, González-Martín-Niño R, Duarte S, Vieira L, Mougeot F, Vidal D, Herrera-Rodríguez D, Rodríguez-Pastor R, Herrero-Cófreces S, Jubete-Tazo F, Gomes JP, Lopes de Carvalho I. Strengthening the genomic surveillance of Francisella tularensis by using culture-free whole-genome sequencing from biological samples. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1277468. [PMID: 38249473 PMCID: PMC10797068 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1277468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious bacterium that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. The development of genotyping methods, especially those based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS), has recently increased the knowledge on the epidemiology of this disease. However, due to the difficulties associated with the growth and isolation of this fastidious pathogen in culture, the availability of strains and subsequently WGS data is still limited. Methods To surpass these constraints, we aimed to implement a culture-free approach to capture and sequence F. tularensis genomes directly from complex samples. Biological samples obtained from 50 common voles and 13 Iberian hares collected in Spain were confirmed as positive for F. tularensis subsp. holarctica and subjected to a WGS target capture and enrichment protocol, using RNA oligonucleotide baits designed to cover F. tularensis genomic diversity. Results We obtained full genome sequences of F. tularensis from 13 animals (20.6%), two of which had mixed infections with distinct genotypes, and achieved a higher success rate when compared with culture-dependent WGS (only successful for two animals). The new genomes belonged to different clades commonly identified in Europe (B.49, B.51 and B.262) and subclades. Despite being phylogenetically closely related to other genomes from Spain, the detected clusters were often found in other countries. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis, integrating 599 F. tularensis subsp. holarctica genomes, showed that most (sub)clades are found in both humans and animals and that closely related strains are found in different, and often geographically distant, countries. Discussion Overall, we show that the implemented culture-free WGS methodology yields timely, complete and high-quality genomic data of F. tularensis, being a highly valuable approach to promote and potentiate the genomic surveillance of F. tularensis and ultimately increase the knowledge on the genomics, ecology and epidemiology of this highly infectious pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Isidro
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel Escudero
- Reference and Research Laboratory on Special Pathogens, National Centre for Microbiology (CNM), Carlos II Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Luque-Larena
- Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), E.T.S. Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
| | - Miguel Pinto
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vítor Borges
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rosa González-Martín-Niño
- Reference and Research Laboratory on Special Pathogens, National Centre for Microbiology (CNM), Carlos II Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sílvia Duarte
- Technology and Innovation Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Vieira
- Technology and Innovation Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - François Mougeot
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC-CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Dolors Vidal
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Catilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Daniel Herrera-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC-CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Catilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain, Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Herrero-Cófreces
- Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), E.T.S. Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
| | - Fernando Jubete-Tazo
- Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), E.T.S. Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes de Carvalho
- Emergency and Biopreparedness Unit, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
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2
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Larson MA, Sayood K, Bartling AM, Meyer JR, Starr C, Baldwin J, Dempsey MP. Differentiation of Francisella tularensis Subspecies and Subtypes. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:e01495-19. [PMID: 31941692 PMCID: PMC7098747 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01495-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly infectious and zoonotic pathogen Francisella tularensis is the etiologic agent of tularemia, a potentially fatal disease if untreated. Despite the high average nucleotide identity, which is >99.2% for the virulent subspecies and >98% for all four subspecies, including the opportunistic microbe Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida, there are considerable differences in genetic organization. These chromosomal disparities contribute to the substantial differences in virulence observed between the various F. tularensis subspecies and subtypes. The methods currently available to genotype F. tularensis cannot conclusively identify the associated subpopulation without using time-consuming testing or complex scoring matrices. To address this need, we developed both single and multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays that can accurately detect and identify the hypervirulent F. tularensis subsp. tularensis subtype A.I, the virulent F. tularensis subsp. tularensis subtype A.II, F. tularensis subsp. holarctica (also referred to as type B), and F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica, as well as opportunistic F. tularensis subsp. novicida from each other and near neighbors, such as Francisella philomiragia, Francisella persica, and Francisella-like endosymbionts found in ticks. These fluorescence-based singleplex and non-matrix scoring multiplex qPCR assays utilize a hydrolysis probe, providing sensitive and specific F. tularensis subspecies and subtype identification in a rapid manner. Furthermore, sequencing of the amplified F. tularensis targets provides clade confirmation and informative strain-specific details. Application of these qPCR- and sequencing-based detection assays will provide an improved capability for molecular typing and clinical diagnostics, as well as facilitate the accurate identification and differentiation of F. tularensis subpopulations during epidemiological investigations of tularemia source outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilynn A Larson
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- National Strategic Research Institute, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Khalid Sayood
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Amanda M Bartling
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jennifer R Meyer
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Applied Technology and Genomics Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA
| | - Clarise Starr
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Applied Technology and Genomics Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA
| | - James Baldwin
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Applied Technology and Genomics Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael P Dempsey
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Applied Technology and Genomics Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA
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3
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Jado I, Escudero R, Espigares B, Lara E, Rodriguez-Vargas M, Garcia-Amil C, Lobo B, Rodriguez-Moreno I, Toledo A. Rapid and Highly Sensitive DNA Flow Technology Platform to Detect Tick-Borne Bacterial Pathogens in Clinical Samples. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:107-116. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Jado
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Patógenos Especiales, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Escudero
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Patógenos Especiales, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Manuela Rodriguez-Vargas
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Patógenos Especiales, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Garcia-Amil
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Patógenos Especiales, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bruno Lobo
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Patógenos Especiales, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Rodriguez-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Patógenos Especiales, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Toledo
- Department of Entomology, Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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4
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Chisu V, Foxi C, Masala G. First molecular detection of Francisella-like endosymbionts in Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus tick species collected from vertebrate hosts from Sardinia island, Italy. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 79:245-254. [PMID: 31650337 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00427-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors of a wide variety of human and animal pathogens as well as non-pathogenic microorganisms acting as endosymbionts and whose role in ticks is still little known. Symbionts such as Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) are members of Francisellaceae family with unknown pathogenicity, detected in both hard and soft ticks. A total of 236 ticks collected from several sites in Sardinia were screened for Francisella species by PCR using primers targeting a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. DNA of Francisella was detected in 5.1% (12/236) of the ticks tested. Sequencing results revealed that seven Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., three Hyalomma marginatum, one Hy. lusitanicum, and one Rh. bursa ticks exhibited DNA with 99-100% similarity to Francisella-like endosymbionts isolated from different tick species all over the world. Further research is needed in order to better characterize FLE strains obtained in Sardinia and to better understand if their presence could be related to the infection with other zoonotic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Chisu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 8, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Cipriano Foxi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 8, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 8, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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5
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Ramos JM, Pérez-Tanoira R, Martín-Martín I, Prieto-Pérez L, Tefasmariam A, Tiziano G, Escudero R, Gil-Zamorano J, Gil-Gil H, Górgolas M, Jado I. Arthropod-Borne Bacteria Cause Nonmalarial Fever in Rural Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study in 394 Patients. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:815-820. [PMID: 31184993 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial arthropod-borne pathogens are a common cause of fever in Africa, but their precise impact is unknown and usually underdiagnosed in the basic rural laboratories of low-resourced African countries. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of arthropod-borne bacterial diseases causing fever among malaria smear-negative patients in a rural hospital located in Ethiopia. The study population included patients aged 2 years or older; referred to Gambo Rural General Hospital (West Arsi, Ethiopia), between July and November 2013, for fever or report of fever in the previous 48 h; attending the outpatient department; and testing negative for malaria by Giemsa-stained thin blood smears. We extracted DNA from 394 whole blood samples, using reverse line blot assays of amplicons to look for bacteria from the genera: Anaplasma, Bartonella, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Francisella, and Rickettsia. Thirteen patients showed presence of DNA for these pathogens: three each by Borrelia spp., the Francisella group (F. tularensis tularensis, F. tularensis holartica, and F. novicia), Rickettsia bellii, and Rickettsia Felis, and one by Bartonella rochalimae. Thus, in this rural area of Africa, febrile symptoms could be due to bacteria transmitted by arthropods. Further studies are needed to evaluate the pathogenic role of R. bellii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Ramos
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Kore, Ethiopia.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Alicante, Spain
| | - Ramón Pérez-Tanoira
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Kore, Ethiopia.,Division of Infectious Diseases, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Martín-Martín
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Kore, Ethiopia.,Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Laura Prieto-Pérez
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Kore, Ethiopia.,Division of Infectious Diseases, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Abraham Tefasmariam
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Kore, Ethiopia
| | - Gebre Tiziano
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Kore, Ethiopia
| | - Raquel Escudero
- Laboratory of Special Pathogens of the National Microbiology Center of Spain, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Judit Gil-Zamorano
- Laboratory of Special Pathogens of the National Microbiology Center of Spain, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Horacio Gil-Gil
- Laboratory of Special Pathogens of the National Microbiology Center of Spain, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Górgolas
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Kore, Ethiopia.,Division of Infectious Diseases, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Jado
- Laboratory of Special Pathogens of the National Microbiology Center of Spain, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Lopes de Carvalho I, Nascimento P, Núncio MS, Toscano Rico M. First Case of Tularemia Reported in Portugal: Probably of Imported Origin. Front Public Health 2018; 6:325. [PMID: 30510927 PMCID: PMC6252358 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors report the case of a 47-year-old man who walked in the countryside on the island of Bornholm, during the summer period. Three days later, fever, myalgias and adynamia began. The serological tests, Real-time PCR and isolation of the bacteria from the culture of lymph biopsy confirmed the presence of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Nascimento
- Internal Medicine Service 4, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Santa Marta Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Sofia Núncio
- Infectious Department, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Toscano Rico
- Internal Medicine Service 4, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Santa Marta Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
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7
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Zoonotic pathogens in fluctuating common vole (Microtus arvalis) populations: occurrence and dynamics. Parasitology 2018; 146:389-398. [PMID: 30246665 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018001543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Diseases and host dynamics are linked, but their associations may vary in strength, be time-lagged, and depend on environmental influences. Where a vector is involved in disease transmission, its dynamics are an additional influence, and we often lack a general understanding on how diseases, hosts and vectors interact. We report on the occurrence of six zoonotic arthropod-borne pathogens (Anaplasma, Bartonella, Borrelia, Coxiella, Francisella and Rickettsia) in common voles (Microtus arvalis) throughout a population fluctuation and how their prevalence varies according to host density, seasonality and vector prevalence. We detected Francisella tularensis and four species of Bartonella, but not Anaplasma, Borrelia, Coxiella or Rickettsia. Bartonella taylorii and B. grahamii prevalence increased and decreased with current host (vole and mice) density, respectively, and increased with flea prevalence. Bartonella doshiae prevalence decreased with mice density. These three Bartonella species were also more prevalent during winter. Bartonella rochalimae prevalence varied with current and previous vole density (delayed-density dependence), but not with season. Coinfection with F. tularensis and Bartonella occurred as expected from the respective prevalence of each disease in voles. Our results highlight that simultaneously considering pathogen, vector and host dynamics provide a better understanding of the epidemiological dynamics of zoonoses in farmland rodents.
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Rodríguez-Pastor R, Escudero R, Vidal D, Mougeot F, Arroyo B, Lambin X, Vila-Coro AM, Rodríguez-Moreno I, Anda P, Luque-Larena JJ. Density-Dependent Prevalence of Francisella tularensis in Fluctuating Vole Populations, Northwestern Spain. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 23:1377-1379. [PMID: 28726608 PMCID: PMC5547778 DOI: 10.3201/eid2308.161194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia in humans in northwestern Spain is associated with increases in vole populations. Prevalence of infection with Francisella tularensis in common voles increased to 33% during a vole population fluctuation. This finding confirms that voles are spillover agents for zoonotic outbreaks. Ecologic interactions associated with tularemia prevention should be considered.
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9
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Hubálek Z, Rudolf I. Francisella tularensis prevalence and load in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in an endemic area in Central Europe. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 31:234-239. [PMID: 28256734 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A total of 7778 host-seeking adult Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks were examined for the prevalence of Francisella tularensis holarctica (Thiotrichales: Francisellaceae) in a natural focus of tularaemia in the floodplain forest-meadow ecosystem along the lower reaches of the Dyje (Thaya) river in South Moravia (Czech Republic) between 1995 and 2013. Ticks were pooled (10 specimens per pool) and their homogenates inoculated subcutaneously in 4-week-old specific pathogen-free mice. Dead mice were sectioned, their spleens cultivated on thioglycollate-glucose-blood agar and impression smears from the spleen, liver and heart blood were Giemsa-stained. Sixty-four pools were positive for F. tularensis: the overall minimum infection rate (MIR) was 0.82%. Overall MIRs for the 4714 female and 3064 male D. reticulatus examined were 0.89 and 0.72%, respectively; MIRs fluctuated across years between 0.0 and 2.43%. The estimated bacterial load in infected ticks varied from 0.84 to 5.34 log10 infectious F. tularensis cells per tick (i.e. from about seven to 220 000 cells). Ticks with low loads were more prevalent; more than 1000 infectious cells were detected in 24 ticks (0.3% of all ticks and 37.5% of infected ticks). Monitoring of D. reticulatus for the presence and cell numbers of F. tularensis may be a valuable tool in the surveillance of tularaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, v.v.i., Medical Zoology Laboratory, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - I Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, v.v.i., Medical Zoology Laboratory, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic
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10
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Duzlu O, Yildirim A, Inci A, Gumussoy KS, Ciloglu A, Onder Z. Molecular Investigation ofFrancisella-Like Endosymbiont in Ticks andFrancisella tularensisin Ixodid Ticks and Mosquitoes in Turkey. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 16:26-32. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Onder Duzlu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Implementation and Research Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Alparslan Yildirim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Implementation and Research Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Inci
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Implementation and Research Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Kadir Semih Gumussoy
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Implementation and Research Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Arif Ciloglu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Implementation and Research Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Zuhal Onder
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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Lopes de Carvalho I, Toledo A, Carvalho CL, Barandika JF, Respicio-Kingry LB, Garcia-Amil C, García-Pérez AL, Olmeda AS, Zé-Zé L, Petersen JM, Anda P, Núncio MS, Escudero R. Francisella species in ticks and animals, Iberian Peninsula. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:159-165. [PMID: 26520052 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The presence of Francisella species in 2134 ticks, 93 lagomorphs and 280 small mammals from the Iberian Peninsula was studied. Overall, 19 ticks and 6 lagomorphs were positive for Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica, suggesting, as described for other regions, that lagomorphs may have an important role in the maintenance of F. tularensis in nature. Of the 6 positive lagomorphs, 4 were identified as the European rabbit, Oryctogalus cuniculus. Additionally, 353 ticks and 3 small mammals were PCR positive for Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) and one small mammal was also positive for Francisella hispaniensis-like DNA sequences. Among FLE positive specimens, a variety of sequence types were detected: ticks were associated with 5 lpnA sequence types, with only one type identified per tick, in contrast to 2 lpnA sequence types detected in a single wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). To our knowledge, this is the first report of FLEs in free-living small mammals as well as the first detection of F. hispaniensis-like sequences in a natural setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Toledo
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - C L Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal; University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - J F Barandika
- NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio, Biscay, Spain
| | | | - C Garcia-Amil
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - A L García-Pérez
- NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio, Biscay, Spain
| | - A S Olmeda
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Zé-Zé
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - J M Petersen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - P Anda
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - M S Núncio
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - R Escudero
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Silvestri EE, Perkins SD, Rice EW, Stone H, Schaefer FW. Review of processing and analytical methods for Francisella tularensis in soil and water. ANN MICROBIOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s13213-015-1144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Wójcik-Fatla A, Zając V, Sawczyn A, Cisak E, Sroka J, Dutkiewicz J. Occurrence of Francisella spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in eastern Poland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:253-7. [PMID: 25666656 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A total of 530 questing Dermacentor reticulatus ticks and 861 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected from Lublin province (eastern Poland) and examined for the presence of Francisella by PCR for 16S rRNA (rrs) and tul4 genes. Only one female D. reticulatus tick out of 530 examined (0.2%) was infected with Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica, as determined by PCR of the rrs gene. None of 861 I. ricinus ticks were infected with F. tularensis. In contrast, the presence of Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) was detected in more than half of the D. reticulatus ticks (50.4%) and 0.8% of the I. ricinus ticks. The nucleotide sequences of the FLEs detected in D. reticulatus exhibited 100% homology with the nucleotide sequence of the FLE strain FDrH detected in Hungary in D. reticulatus. In conclusion, our results suggest a low contribution of D. reticulatus and I. ricinus ticks to the circulation of F. tularensis in eastern Poland. This finding, however, needs to be confirmed by further studies in other areas. Our study confirmed the common infection of D. reticulatus with Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) of unknown pathogenic potential and revealed, for the first time, a low grade of infection of I. ricinus with FLEs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Violetta Zając
- Department of Zoonoses, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Sawczyn
- Department of Zoonoses, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Cisak
- Department of Zoonoses, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Sroka
- Department of Zoonoses, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland; Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Jacek Dutkiewicz
- Department of Zoonoses, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
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Szigeti A, Kreizinger Z, Hornok S, Abichu G, Gyuranecz M. Detection of Francisella-like endosymbiont in Hyalomma rufipes from Ethiopia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:818-20. [PMID: 25108781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The expanding family of Francisellaceae includes the genus Francisella, where several pathogen bacteria, e.g. the zoonotic F. tularensis, and different Francisella-like agents belong to. Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) are widespread in hard and soft ticks and their pathogenicity is unknown. The examination of 296 ticks collected in Ethiopia was performed for the detection of F. tularensis and FLEs using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays based on the amplification of 16S rRNA, sdhA and tul4 gene fragments. FLE was described in one Hyalomma rufipes tick based on the 16S rRNA and sdhA gene sequences. The 16S rRNA gene fragment was identical with the ones detected previously in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum in Bulgaria. The presence of endosymbionts with identical 16S rRNA gene sequence in both Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma species further supports the hypotheses, that certain FLEs had independent evolution from their tick hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Szigeti
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungária krt 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsa Kreizinger
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungária krt 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, István utca 2, Budapest 1078, Hungary
| | - Getachew Abichu
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, István utca 2, Budapest 1078, Hungary
| | - Miklós Gyuranecz
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungária krt 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary.
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Carvalho CL, Lopes de Carvalho I, Zé-Zé L, Núncio MS, Duarte EL. Tularaemia: a challenging zoonosis. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; 37:85-96. [PMID: 24480622 PMCID: PMC7124367 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Revised: 12/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, several emerging zoonotic vector-borne infections with potential impact on human health have been identified in Europe, including tularaemia, caused by Francisella tularensis. This remarkable pathogen, one of the most virulent microorganisms currently known, has been detected in increasingly new settings and in a wide range of wild species, including lagomorphs, rodents, carnivores, fish and invertebrate arthropods. Also, a renewed concern has arisen with regard to F. tularensis: its potential use by bioterrorists. Based on the information published concerning the latest outbreaks, the aim of this paper is to review the main features of the agent, its biology, immunology and epidemiology. Moreover, special focus will be given to zoonotic aspects of the disease, as tularaemia outbreaks in human populations have been frequently associated with disease in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Carvalho
- Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Science (ICAAM), School of Science and Technology ECT, University of Évora, Portugal; Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - I Lopes de Carvalho
- Emergency Response and Bio-preparedness Unit, National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - L Zé-Zé
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - M S Núncio
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - E L Duarte
- Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Science (ICAAM), School of Science and Technology ECT, University of Évora, Portugal.
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16
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Kreizinger Z, Hornok S, Dán A, Hresko S, Makrai L, Magyar T, Bhide M, Erdélyi K, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Gyuranecz M. Prevalence of Francisella tularensis and Francisella-like endosymbionts in the tick population of Hungary and the genetic variability of Francisella-like agents. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013; 13:160-3. [PMID: 23421891 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Several new taxa belonging to the genus Francisella have been described recently. The present study describes the prevalence of Francisella tularensis and Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE) in ticks collected from Hungary from 2007 to 2009 and characterizes the genetic variability of FLEs. A total of 5402 Ixodid ticks (Ixodes ricinus, I. acuminatus, Dermacentor marginatus, D. reticulatus, Haemaphysalis inermis, H. concinna, H. punctata) were collected from vegetation and animal hosts and tested with conventional PCR, detecting the 16S rRNA and tul4 genes. F. tularensis ssp. holarctica was found in 2 pools of H. concinna and 1 pool of D. reticulatus, both representing minimum prevalence (calculated with 1 infected tick per pool) of 0.27% whereas the sequences of a FLE were detected in 11 pools of D. reticulatus showing a minimum prevalence of 3%. Although the tul4 gene sequence of this FLE was identical to all Hungarian and Portuguese FLEs found earlier, and the 16S rRNA sequence was also identical to the sequence of the endosymbiont of D. reticulatus described in Bulgaria, these 16S rRNA gene coding sequences differed in 2 nucleotides from the one found earlier in this tick species in Hungary. This divergence may appear to be a minor difference between the sequences, potentially even resulting from a technical failure, but it could also indicate a significant difference stemming from the conservative genetic character of Francisellaceae. Thus, it raises a question about the number of FLE variants circulating in D. reticulatus in Europe and indicates the need for further data about the FLEs described in other parts of the continent and new FLE genotyping markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsa Kreizinger
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
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17
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Genome sequence of Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica strain FSC200, isolated from a child with tularemia. J Bacteriol 2013; 194:6965-6. [PMID: 23209222 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01040-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report the complete, accurate 1.89-Mb genome sequence of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strain FSC200, isolated in 1998 in the Swedish municipality Ljusdal, which is in an area where tularemia is highly endemic. This genome is important because strain FSC200 has been extensively used for functional and genetic studies of Francisella and is well-characterized.
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Hornok S, Csörgő T, de la Fuente J, Gyuranecz M, Privigyei C, Meli ML, Kreizinger Z, Gönczi E, Fernández de Mera IG, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Synanthropic birds associated with high prevalence of tick-borne rickettsiae and with the first detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Hungary. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013; 13:77-83. [PMID: 23289394 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze synanthropic birds as risk factors for introducing ticks and tick-borne pathogens into human settlements, with an emphasis on rickettsiae. Altogether 184 subadult ticks were found on 5846 birds. Tick infestation was most prevalent during the spring. In this sample group the majority of ticks were molecularly identified as Ixodes ricinus, and three individuals collected from the European robin as Hyalomma marginatum marginatum. The latter is the first molecularly confirmed occurrence of this species in Hungary. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in H. marginatum, also for the first time in Hungary, and in ticks from an urbanized bird species north of the Mediterranean countries. The overall prevalence range of rickettsiae (including R. helvetica and R. monacensis) in ticks of synanthropic birds was 29-40%, exceeding that in questing ticks of relevant species reported earlier. Additionally, in specimens of I. ricinus, the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and a new Francisella-like genotype was also verified. Thus, it can be concluded that birds with urban or periurban habitats pose a high risk as tick carriers and reservoirs of zoonotic agents, especially of rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary.
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Gehringer H, Schacht E, Maylaender N, Zeman E, Kaysser P, Oehme R, Pluta S, Splettstoesser WD. Presence of an emerging subclone of Francisella tularensis holarctica in Ixodes ricinus ticks from south-western Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2012; 4:93-100. [PMID: 23141103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2011] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The zoonotic disease tularaemia is caused by the bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis. Although the causative agent is known for 100 years, knowledge of its enzootic cycles is still rudimentary. Apart from tabanids and mosquitoes, hard ticks have been described as important vectors and potential reservoirs for F. tularensis. Available data on the incidence of human tularaemia indicate an increase in cases in the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. To determine whether ticks are involved in the reported increase in F. tularensis infections in humans and wildlife in this south-western part of Germany, 916 Ixodes ricinus and 211 adult Dermacentor marginatus and D. reticulatus ticks were collected in two different locations. Screening for the presence of F. tularensis was performed by real-time PCR of the 16S rRNA gene. Of the 95 pools of I. ricinus ticks (representing 916 individual ticks), 8 tick pools (8.4%) were positive in this PCR. 30-bp deletion PCR confirmed that the F. tularensis subspecies holarctica was present. FtM24 VNTR analysis revealed that they belong to the emerging Franco-Iberian subclone group of F. tularensis holarctica. Of the 211 ticks of the genus Dermacentor, 35 randomly chosen DNAs were subjected to 16S rRNA gene screening PCR; 20 of these (57%) gave positive signals. For cluster analysis, the lpnA gene region of all Francisella-positive I. ricinus pools and 6 Dermacentor ticks with a positive reaction in the screening PCR was amplified and sequenced. In the resulting neighbour-joining tree, all Francisella-positive I. ricinus samples clustered with sequences of F. tularensis, whilst all Dermacentor tick samples clustered with FLE (Francisella-like endosymbiont) sequences. This study shows that I. ricinus ticks may serve as vectors and/or reservoirs of F. tularensis in Germany and supports the hypothesis that the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg represents an emerging endemic focus of tularaemia.
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Sjödin A, Svensson K, Öhrman C, Ahlinder J, Lindgren P, Duodu S, Johansson A, Colquhoun DJ, Larsson P, Forsman M. Genome characterisation of the genus Francisella reveals insight into similar evolutionary paths in pathogens of mammals and fish. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:268. [PMID: 22727144 PMCID: PMC3485624 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior to this study, relatively few strains of Francisella had been genome-sequenced. Previously published Francisella genome sequences were largely restricted to the zoonotic agent F. tularensis. Only limited data were available for other members of the Francisella genus, including F. philomiragia, an opportunistic pathogen of humans, F. noatunensis, a serious pathogen of farmed fish, and other less well described endosymbiotic species. RESULTS We determined the phylogenetic relationships of all known Francisella species, including some for which the phylogenetic positions were previously uncertain. The genus Francisella could be divided into two main genetic clades: one included F. tularensis, F. novicida, F. hispaniensis and Wolbachia persica, and another included F. philomiragia and F. noatunensis.Some Francisella species were found to have significant recombination frequencies. However, the fish pathogen F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis was an exception due to it exhibiting a highly clonal population structure similar to the human pathogen F. tularensis. CONCLUSIONS The genus Francisella can be divided into two main genetic clades occupying both terrestrial and marine habitats. However, our analyses suggest that the ancestral Francisella species originated in a marine habitat. The observed genome to genome variation in gene content and IS elements of different species supports the view that similar evolutionary paths of host adaptation developed independently in F. tularensis (infecting mammals) and F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis (infecting fish).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Sjödin
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Svensson
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Caroline Öhrman
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jon Ahlinder
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Petter Lindgren
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Samuel Duodu
- Section for Bacteriology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Postbox 750 sentrum, 0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Johansson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, SE-901 85, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Duncan J Colquhoun
- Section for Bacteriology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Postbox 750 sentrum, 0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pär Larsson
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mats Forsman
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
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21
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Dergousoff SJ, Chilton NB. Association of different genetic types of Francisella-like organisms with the rocky mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) and the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) in localities near their northern distributional limits. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:965-71. [PMID: 22179251 PMCID: PMC3272999 DOI: 10.1128/aem.05762-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermacentor andersoni and Dermacentor variabilis from allopatric and sympatric populations near their northern distributional limits were examined for the presence of Francisella species using molecular techniques that targeted 373 bp of the 16S rRNA gene. Although there was no evidence for the presence of Francisella tularensis in any tick, Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) were common in D. andersoni and D. variabilis adults and immatures. A significantly greater proportion of female ticks contained FLEs compared to male ticks. In addition, significantly more D. variabilis adult individuals contained multiple FLE sequence types than did D. andersoni adults. Ten different types of FLEs were identified based on the sequence data, which has implications for diagnostic tests and epidemiological studies of F. tularensis in tick populations in Canada. The three most prevalent types of FLEs have been detected previously in D. andersoni or D. variabilis from other parts of their distributional ranges, whereas the other seven FLE types have not been reported previously. A comparison of the FLEs from both allopatric and sympatric populations of these two tick species provided insight into the relative host-specificity and the modes of transmission of these tick-borne bacteria. In general, each FLE type was specific for one tick species, suggesting vertical transmission of each bacterium. However, there were a few instances of potential cross-transfer of two FLE types to the other tick species at locations where D. andersoni and D. variabilis occurred in sympatry, suggesting that there may be occasional horizontal transmission of some FLEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun J Dergousoff
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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Larson MA, Fey PD, Bartling AM, Iwen PC, Dempsey MP, Francesconi SC, Hinrichs SH. Francisella tularensis molecular typing using differential insertion sequence amplification. J Clin Microbiol 2011; 49:2786-97. [PMID: 21613430 PMCID: PMC3147756 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00033-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a potentially fatal disease that is caused by the highly infectious and zoonotic pathogen Francisella tularensis. Despite the monomorphic nature of sequenced F. tularensis genomes, there is a significant degree of plasticity in the organization of genetic elements. The observed variability in these genomes is due primarily to the transposition of direct repeats and insertion sequence (IS) elements. Since current methods used to genotype F. tularensis are time-consuming and require extensive laboratory resources, IS elements were investigated as a means to subtype this organism. The unique spatial location of specific IS elements provided the basis for the development of a differential IS amplification (DISA) assay to detect and distinguish the more virulent F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (subtypes A.I and A.II) and subsp. holarctica (type B) strains from F. tularensis subsp. novicida and other near neighbors, including Francisella philomiragia and Francisella-like endosymbionts found in ticks. Amplicon sizes and sequences derived from DISA showed heterogeneity within members of the subtype A.I and A.II isolates but not the type B strains. These differences were due to a 312-bp fragment derived from the IS element ISFtu1. Analysis of wild-type F. tularensis isolates by DISA correlated with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis genotyping utilizing two different restriction endonucleases and provided rapid results with minimal sample processing. The applicability of this molecular typing assay for environmental studies was demonstrated by the accurate identification and differentiation of tick-borne F. tularensis. The described approach to IS targeting and amplification provides new capability for epidemiological investigations and characterizations of tularemia source outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilynn A Larson
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA.
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Common ancestry and novel genetic traits of Francisella novicida-like isolates from North America and Australia as revealed by comparative genomic analyses. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011; 77:5110-22. [PMID: 21666011 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00337-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella novicida is a close relative of Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. The genomes of F. novicida-like clinical isolates 3523 (Australian strain) and Fx1 (Texas strain) were sequenced and compared to F. novicida strain U112 and F. tularensis strain Schu S4. The strain 3523 chromosome is 1,945,310 bp and contains 1,854 protein-coding genes. The strain Fx1 chromosome is 1,913,619 bp and contains 1,819 protein-coding genes. NUCmer analyses revealed that the genomes of strains Fx1 and U112 are mostly colinear, whereas the genome of strain 3523 has gaps, translocations, and/or inversions compared to genomes of strains Fx1 and U112. Using the genome sequence data and comparative analyses with other members of the genus Francisella, several strain-specific genes that encode putative proteins involved in RTX toxin production, polysaccharide biosynthesis/modification, thiamine biosynthesis, glucuronate utilization, and polyamine biosynthesis were identified. The RTX toxin synthesis and secretion operon of strain 3523 contains four open reading frames (ORFs) and was named rtxCABD. Based on the alignment of conserved sequences upstream of operons involved in thiamine biosynthesis from various bacteria, a putative THI box was identified in strain 3523. The glucuronate catabolism loci of strains 3523 and Fx1 contain a cluster of nine ORFs oriented in the same direction that appear to constitute an operon. Strains U112 and Schu S4 appeared to have lost the loci for RTX toxin production, thiamine biosynthesis, and glucuronate utilization as a consequence of host adaptation and reductive evolution. In conclusion, comparative analyses provided insights into the common ancestry and novel genetic traits of these strains.
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24
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de Carvalho IL, Santos N, Soares T, Zé-Zé L, Núncio MS. Francisella-like endosymbiont in Dermacentor reticulatus collected in Portugal. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 11:185-8. [PMID: 20575645 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Portugal, recent studies have confirmed the presence of Francisella tularensis in Dermacentor reticulatus. Bacterial endosymbionts with significant homology to F. tularensis have been described in several species of ticks. In this work we identified Francisella-like endosymbionts in D. reticulatus ticks (39%), confirming the presence of these bacteria in Portugal. This finding should be considered in future studies using molecular approaches to detect Francisella prevalence in ticks and environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Lopes de Carvalho
- Centro de Estudos de Vectores e Doenças Infecciosas Dr. Francisco Cambournac, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal.
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25
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Splettstoesser WD, Seibold E, Zeman E, Trebesius K, Podbielski A. Rapid differentiation of Francisella species and subspecies by fluorescent in situ hybridization targeting the 23S rRNA. BMC Microbiol 2010; 10:72. [PMID: 20205957 PMCID: PMC2844405 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Accepted: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Francisella (F.) tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia. Due to its low infectious dose, ease of dissemination and high case fatality rate, F. tularensis was the subject in diverse biological weapons programs and is among the top six agents with high potential if misused in bioterrorism. Microbiological diagnosis is cumbersome and time-consuming. Methods for the direct detection of the pathogen (immunofluorescence, PCR) have been developed but are restricted to reference laboratories. Results The complete 23S rRNA genes of representative strains of F. philomiragia and all subspecies of F. tularensis were sequenced. Single nucleotide polymorphisms on species and subspecies level were confirmed by partial amplification and sequencing of 24 additional strains. Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) assays were established using species- and subspecies-specific probes. Different FISH protocols allowed the positive identification of all 4 F. philomiragia strains, and more than 40 F. tularensis strains tested. By combination of different probes, it was possible to differentiate the F. tularensis subspecies holarctica, tularensis, mediasiatica and novicida. No cross reactivity with strains of 71 clinically relevant bacterial species was observed. FISH was also successfully applied to detect different F. tularensis strains in infected cells or tissue samples. In blood culture systems spiked with F. tularensis, bacterial cells of different subspecies could be separated within single samples. Conclusion We could show that FISH targeting the 23S rRNA gene is a rapid and versatile method for the identification and differentiation of F. tularensis isolates from both laboratory cultures and clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolf D Splettstoesser
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Reference Laboratory for Tularemia, Neuherbergstr 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.
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26
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Huber B, Escudero R, Busse HJ, Seibold E, Scholz HC, Anda P, Kämpfer P, Splettstoesser WD. Description of Francisella hispaniensis sp. nov., isolated from human blood, reclassification of Francisella novicida (Larson et al. 1955) Olsufiev et al. 1959 as Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida comb. nov. and emended description of the genus Francisella. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2009; 60:1887-1896. [PMID: 19783615 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.015941-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Strain FhSp1T, isolated from human blood in Spain in 2003, was studied for its taxonomic allocation. By 16S rRNA and recA gene sequencing, the strain was shown to belong to the genus Francisella. In the 16S rRNA gene sequence, Francisella sp. FhSp1T shared similarity of more than 99% with strains of Francisella tularensis subspecies and Francisella novicida U112T, 98% with Francisella piscicida GM2212T and 98.4% with Francisella philomiragia ATCC 25015T. In the recA gene sequence, Francisella sp. FhSp1T exhibited 91.6-91.7% similarity to strains of F. tularensis subspecies, 91.2% to F. novicida U112T and 84% to F. philomiragia ATCC 25017. The genus affiliation was supported by a quinone system typical of Francisella (Q-8 as the major component), a complex polar lipid profile similar to that of F. tularensis with the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and an unknown aminophospholipid (APL4) and a fatty acid profile consisting mainly of C10:0 (17.2%), C14:0 (11.2%), C16:0 (13.1%), C18:0 3-OH (14.2%) and C18:1omega9c (7.1%). DNA-DNA hybridization, which showed unambiguously that FhSp1T represents a novel species, and the results of biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from all hitherto-described Francisella species. A multiplex PCR developed in the course of this study discriminated FhSp1T from representatives of all other Francisella species and subspecies, clades A.I and A.II of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis and F. tularensis subsp. holarctica biovar japonica and also between these representatives of the genus. Therefore, we propose the name Francisella hispaniensis sp. nov., with the type strain FhSp1T (=FnSp1T =FSC454T =F62T =DSM 22475T =CCUG 58020T). Furthermore, we formally propose the transfer of the species Francisella novicida to the species Francisella tularensis as Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida comb. nov. (type strain ATCC 15482T =CCUG 33449T =CIP 56.12T). We also present an emended description of the genus Francisella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Huber
- Institut für Bakteriologie, Mykologie und Hygiene, Veterinärmedizinische Universität, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria
| | - Raquel Escudero
- Laboratorio de Espiroquetas y Patógenos Especiales, Centro Nacional de Microbiología Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hans-Jürgen Busse
- Institut für Bakteriologie, Mykologie und Hygiene, Veterinärmedizinische Universität, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria
| | - Erik Seibold
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, D-80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Holger C Scholz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, D-80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Pedro Anda
- Laboratorio de Espiroquetas y Patógenos Especiales, Centro Nacional de Microbiología Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Peter Kämpfer
- Institut für Angewandte Mikrobiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
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Escudero R, Elía M, Sáez-Nieto JA, Menéndez V, Toledo A, Royo G, Rodríguez-Vargas M, Whipp MJ, Gil H, Jado I, Anda P. A possible novel Francisella genomic species isolated from blood and urine of a patient with severe illness. Clin Microbiol Infect 2009; 16:1026-30. [PMID: 19709068 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.03029.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Two identical isolates were recovered in pure culture from the blood and urine of a patient suffering from severe septicaemia associated with obstructive pyelonephritis secondary to lithotripsy. Preliminary phenotypic and genotypic characterizations based on serological, biochemical and sequence analyses following PCR amplification of selected gene regions indicate that this organism represents a potential new Francisella genomic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Escudero
- Laboratorio de Espiroquetas y Patógenos Especiales, Servicio de Bacteriología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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