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Shevtsov A, Izbanova U, Amirgazin A, Kairzhanova A, Dauletov A, Kiyan V, Vergnaud G. Genetic Homogeneity of Francisella tularensis subsp. mediasiatica Strains in Kazakhstan. Pathogens 2024; 13:581. [PMID: 39057808 PMCID: PMC11279412 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13070581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is an acute febrile disease caused by the Gram-negative bacillus Francisella tularensis. Based on genetic and phenotypic characteristics, three subspecies are distinguished: tularensis, holarctica, and mediasiatica. F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica remains the least studied subspecies. Over the past decade, new foci of distribution of F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica have been discovered in Russia (Siberia), expanding the possible distribution area by thousands of kilometers. This article provides whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (wgSNP) and polymorphic tandem repeats (MLVA) analyses of 28 mediasiatica strains isolated between 1965 and 2004 in Kazakhstan. Despite high genetic homogeneity, MLVA with eleven loci (MLVA11) demonstrates a high discriminatory ability (diversity index, 0.9497). The topological structure of the trees based on wgSNP and MLVA is not comparable; however, clustering remains congruent for most outbreaks, with the exception of two strains from one outbreak that are identical in terms of wgSNP but differ at three tandem repeat loci. Based on wgSNP, the strains are assigned to one of the three currently known mediasiatica sublineages, lineage M.I, together with other historical strains maintained in collections in Russia and Sweden. wgSNP shows limited previously unknown genetic diversity, with the M.I lineage size being only 118 SNPs. The wgSNP genotype is not strongly correlated with year and place of isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr Shevtsov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan; (A.A.); (A.K.); (A.D.); (V.K.)
| | - Uinkul Izbanova
- Aikimbayev’s National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
| | - Asylulan Amirgazin
- National Center for Biotechnology, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan; (A.A.); (A.K.); (A.D.); (V.K.)
| | - Alma Kairzhanova
- National Center for Biotechnology, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan; (A.A.); (A.K.); (A.D.); (V.K.)
| | - Ayan Dauletov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan; (A.A.); (A.K.); (A.D.); (V.K.)
| | - Vladimir Kiyan
- National Center for Biotechnology, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan; (A.A.); (A.K.); (A.D.); (V.K.)
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Timofeev V, Bakhteeva I, Titareva G, Mironova R, Evseeva V, Kravchenko T, Sizova A, Borzilov A, Pavlovich N, Mokrievich A, Dyatlov I, Vergnaud G. Avirulence of a spontaneous Francisella tularensis subsp. mediasiatica prmA mutant. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305569. [PMID: 38889158 PMCID: PMC11185464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is divided into three subspecies. Two of these, subspecies holarctica and tularensis, are highly pathogenic to humans and consequently relatively well studied. The third subspecies, mediasiatica, is rarely isolated and remains poorly studied. It is distributed in the sparsely populated regions of Central Asia and Siberia. Curently this subspecies is not known to have been responsible for human infections in spite of its high virulence in laboratory animals. Subspecies mediasiatica is currently divided into three subgroups-MI, present in Central Asia, MII, present in southern Siberia, and MIII represented by a unique strain, 60(B)57, isolated in Uzbekistan in 1960. We describe here the unexpected observation that MIII strain 60(B)57 is avirulent and immunogenic. We observed that infection with this strain protected mice from challenge 21 days later with a virulent subsp. mediasiatica strain. With an increase of this interval, the protection for mice was significantly reduced. In contrast, guinea pigs were protected from challenge with strains of the subspecies holarctica and mediasiatica (but not subsp. tularensis) 90 days after infection with 60(B)57. We performed genome assembly based on whole genome sequencing data obtained using the Nanopore MinION for strain 60(B)57 and two subsp. mediasiatica strains representing the Central Asian MI and Siberian MII phylogenetic subgroups. The prmA gene is truncated due to a nonsense mutation in strain 60(B)57. The deletion of gene prmA has previously been shown to induce a loss of virulence in Francisella novicida the closest model organism suggesting that the observed mutation might the cause of the avirulence of strain 60(B)57.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitalii Timofeev
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Irina Bakhteeva
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Galina Titareva
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Raisa Mironova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Vera Evseeva
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Tatiana Kravchenko
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Angelika Sizova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Alexander Borzilov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | | | - Alexander Mokrievich
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Ivan Dyatlov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Nelson CA, Winberg J, Bostic TD, Davis KM, Fleck-Derderian S. Systematic Review: Clinical Features, Antimicrobial Treatment, and Outcomes of Human Tularemia, 1993-2023. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:S15-S28. [PMID: 38294108 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is endemic throughout the Northern Hemisphere and requires as few as 10 organisms to cause disease, making this potential bioterrorism agent one of the most infectious bacterial pathogens known. Aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and, more recently, fluoroquinolones are used for treatment of tularemia; however, data on the relative effectiveness of these and other antimicrobial classes are limited. METHODS Nine databases, including Medline, Global Health, and Embase, were systematically searched for articles containing terms related to tularemia. Articles with case-level data on tularemia diagnosis, antimicrobial treatment, and patient outcome were included. Patient demographics, clinical findings, antimicrobial administration, and outcome (eg, intubation, fatality) were abstracted using a standardized form. RESULTS Of the 8878 publications identified and screened, 410 articles describing 870 cases from 1993 to 2023 met inclusion criteria. Cases were reported from 35 countries; more than half were from the United States, Turkey, or Spain. The most common clinical forms were ulceroglandular, oropharyngeal, glandular, and pneumonic disease. Among patients treated with aminoglycosides (n = 452 [52%]), fluoroquinolones (n = 339 [39%]), or tetracyclines (n = 419 [48%]), the fatality rate was 0.7%, 0.9%, and 1.2%, respectively. Patients with pneumonic disease who received ciprofloxacin had no fatalities and the lowest rates of thoracentesis/pleural effusion drainage and intubation compared to those who received aminoglycosides and tetracyclines. CONCLUSIONS Aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines are effective antimicrobials for treatment of tularemia, regardless of clinical manifestation. For pneumonic disease specifically, ciprofloxacin may have slight advantages compared to other antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Nelson
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Jessica Winberg
- Alaka`ina Foundation, Contracting Agency for Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Taylor D Bostic
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fellowship Program, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - K Meryl Davis
- Gilstrap Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellow, CDC Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Shannon Fleck-Derderian
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Maurin M, Pondérand L, Hennebique A, Pelloux I, Boisset S, Caspar Y. Tularemia treatment: experimental and clinical data. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1348323. [PMID: 38298538 PMCID: PMC10827922 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1348323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by the Gram negative, facultative intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis. This disease has multiple clinical presentations according to the route of infection, the virulence of the infecting bacterial strain, and the underlying medical condition of infected persons. Systemic infections (e.g., pneumonic and typhoidal form) and complications are rare but may be life threatening. Most people suffer from local infection (e.g., skin ulcer, conjunctivitis, or pharyngitis) with regional lymphadenopathy, which evolve to suppuration in about 30% of patients and a chronic course of infection. Current treatment recommendations have been established to manage acute infections in the context of a biological threat and do not consider the great variability of clinical situations. This review summarizes literature data on antibiotic efficacy against F. tularensis in vitro, in animal models, and in humans. Empirical treatment with beta-lactams, most macrolides, or anti-tuberculosis agents is usually ineffective. The aminoglycosides gentamicin and streptomycin remain the gold standard for severe infections, and the fluoroquinolones and doxycycline for infections of mild severity, although current data indicate the former are usually more effective. However, the antibiotic treatments reported in the literature are highly variable in their composition and duration depending on the clinical manifestations, the age and health status of the patient, the presence of complications, and the evolution of the disease. Many patients received several antibiotics in combination or successively. Whatever the antibiotic treatment administered, variable but high rates of treatment failures and relapses are still observed, especially in patients treated more then 2-3 weeks after disease onset. In these patients, surgical treatment is often necessary for cure, including drainage or removal of suppurative lymph nodes or other infectious foci. It is currently difficult to establish therapeutic recommendations, particularly due to lack of comparative randomized studies. However, we have attempted to summarize current knowledge through proposals for improving tularemia treatment which will have to be discussed by a group of experts. A major factor in improving the prognosis of patients with tularemia is the early administration of appropriate treatment, which requires better medical knowledge and diagnostic strategy of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Maurin
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Grenoble, France
| | - Léa Pondérand
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Grenoble, France
| | - Aurélie Hennebique
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Pelloux
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Sandrine Boisset
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Grenoble, France
| | - Yvan Caspar
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Grenoble, France
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Hoffman T, Olsen B, Lundkvist Å. The Biological and Ecological Features of Northbound Migratory Birds, Ticks, and Tick-Borne Microorganisms in the African-Western Palearctic. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010158. [PMID: 36677450 PMCID: PMC9866947 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying the species that act as hosts, vectors, and vehicles of vector-borne pathogens is vital for revealing the transmission cycles, dispersal mechanisms, and establishment of vector-borne pathogens in nature. Ticks are common vectors for pathogens causing human and animal diseases, and they transmit a greater variety of pathogenic agents than any other arthropod vector group. Ticks depend on the movements by their vertebrate hosts for their dispersal, and tick species with long feeding periods are more likely to be transported over long distances. Wild birds are commonly parasitized by ticks, and their migration patterns enable the long-distance range expansion of ticks. The African-Palearctic migration system is one of the world's largest migrations systems. African-Western Palearctic birds create natural links between the African, European, and Asian continents when they migrate biannually between breeding grounds in the Palearctic and wintering grounds in Africa and thereby connect different biomes. Climate is an important geographical determinant of ticks, and with global warming, the distribution range and abundance of ticks in the Western Palearctic may increase. The introduction of exotic ticks and their microorganisms into the Western Palearctic via avian vehicles might therefore pose a greater risk for the public and animal health in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Hoffman
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Olsen
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- Correspondence:
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Schütz SD, Liechti N, Altpeter E, Labutin A, Wütrich T, Schmidt KM, Buettcher M, Moser M, Bruggmann R, Wittwer M. Phylogeography of Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica and epidemiology of tularemia in Switzerland. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1151049. [PMID: 37113234 PMCID: PMC10126411 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1151049] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tularemia, an endemic disease that mainly affects wild animals and humans, is caused by Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica (Fth) in Switzerland. The Swiss Fth population consist of multiple different subclades which are distributed throughout the country. The aim of this study is to characterize the genetic diversity of Fth in Switzerland and to describe the phylogeographic relationship of isolates by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. This analysis is combined with human surveillance data from reported cases over the last 10 years and in vitro and in silico antibiotic resistance tests to provide insight into the epidemiology of tularemia in Switzerland. We sequenced the whole genomes of 52 Fth strains of human or tick origin collected in Switzerland between 2009 and 2022 and analyzed together with all publicly available sequencing data of Swiss and European Fth. Next, we performed a preliminary classification with the established canonical single nucleotide polymorphism nomenclature. Furthermore, we tested 20 isolates from all main Swiss clades for antimicrobial susceptibility against a panel of antimicrobial agents. All 52 sequenced isolates from Switzerland belong to major clade B.6, specifically subclades B.45 and B.46, previously described in Western Europe. We were able to accurately reconstruct the population structure according to the global phylogenetic framework. No resistance to clinically recommended antibiotics could be identified in vitro or in silico in the western B.6 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Doina Schütz
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit, University of Bern and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Bern, Switzerland
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection and Swiss National Reference Center for Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (NABA), Spiez, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Liechti
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection and Swiss National Reference Center for Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (NABA), Spiez, Switzerland
| | | | - Anton Labutin
- Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tsering Wütrich
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection and Swiss National Reference Center for Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (NABA), Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Kristina Maria Schmidt
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection and Swiss National Reference Center for Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (NABA), Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Michael Buettcher
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Children’s Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michel Moser
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection and Swiss National Reference Center for Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (NABA), Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Rémy Bruggmann
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit, University of Bern and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Wittwer
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection and Swiss National Reference Center for Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (NABA), Spiez, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Matthias Wittwer,
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7
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Byzova NA, Zherdev AV, Gorbatov AA, Shevyakov AG, Biketov SF, Dzantiev BB. Rapid Detection of Lipopolysaccharide and Whole Cells of Francisella tularensis Based on Agglutination of Antibody-Coated Gold Nanoparticles and Colorimetric Registration. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:2194. [PMID: 36557493 PMCID: PMC9784915 DOI: 10.3390/mi13122194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The paper presents development and characterization of a new bioanalytical test system for rapid detection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and whole cells of Francisella tularensis, a causative agent of tularemia, in water samples. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated by the obtained anti-LPS monoclonal antibodies were used for the assay. Their contact with antigen in tested samples leads to aggregation with a shift of absorption spectra from red to blue. Photometric measurements at 530 nm indicated the analyte presence. Three preparations of AuNPs with different diameters were compared, and the AuNPs having average diameter of 34 nm were found to be optimal. The assay is implemented in 20 min and is characterized by detection limits equal to 40 ng/mL for LPS and 3 × 104 CFU/mL for whole cells of F. tularensis. Thus, the proposed simple one-step assay integrates sensitivity comparable with other immunoassay of microorganisms and rapidity. Selectivity of the assay for different strains of F. tularensis was tested and the possibility to choose its variants with the use of different antibodies to distinguish virulent and non-virulent strains or to detect both kinds of F. tularensis was found. The test system has been successfully implemented to reveal the analyte in natural and tap water samples without the loss of sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda A. Byzova
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anatoly V. Zherdev
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Gorbatov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Anton G. Shevyakov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Sergey F. Biketov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Boris B. Dzantiev
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Shevtsov V, Kairzhanova A, Shevtsov A, Shustov A, Kalendar R, Abdrakhmanov S, Lukhnova L, Izbanova U, Ramankulov Y, Vergnaud G. Genetic diversity of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica in Kazakhstan. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009419. [PMID: 33999916 PMCID: PMC8158875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a highly dangerous zoonotic infection due to the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Low genetic diversity promoted the use of polymorphic tandem repeats (MLVA) as first-line assay for genetic description. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is becoming increasingly accessible, opening the perspective of a time when WGS might become the universal genotyping assay. The main goal of this study was to describe F. tularensis strains circulating in Kazakhstan based on WGS data and develop a MLVA assay compatible with in vitro and in silico analysis. In vitro MLVA genotyping and WGS were performed for the vaccine strain and for 38 strains isolated in Kazakhstan from natural water bodies, ticks, rodents, carnivores, and from one migratory bird, an Isabellina wheatear captured in a rodent burrow. The two genotyping approaches were congruent and allowed to attribute all strains to two F. tularensis holarctica lineages, B.4 and B.12. The seven tandem repeats polymorphic in the investigated strain collection could be typed in a single multiplex PCR assay. Identical MLVA genotypes were produced by in vitro and in silico analysis, demonstrating full compatibility between the two approaches. The strains from Kazakhstan were compared to all publicly available WGS data of worldwide origin by whole genome SNP (wgSNP) analysis. Genotypes differing at a single SNP position were collected within a time interval of more than fifty years, from locations separated from each other by more than one thousand kilometers, supporting a role for migratory birds in the worldwide spread of the bacteria. Genotyping of Francisella tularensis has become a routine practice in epidemiology. Despite rapidly accumulating knowledge, the phylogeography of the pathogen is still poorly understood and discussions about geographic and temporal origins continue. One important reason is the poor characterization of the pathogen in many tularemia-endemic countries. This article describes the genetic diversity of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica in Kazakhstan using tandem repeat polymorphisms as well as whole genome sequencing. Thirty-nine strains were analyzed and two lineages were identified, namely B.4 and B.12. The study demonstrates a wider distribution of genotype B.4 in Asia, and identified a more basal branching point in this subclade. The obtained data support the Asian origin hypothesis for F. tularensis. The finding of identical genotypes in strains separated in time by decades and a thousand-kilometers geographic distance, confirms the ability of the bacteria for long-term preservation and fast long distances spread. The isolation of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica from the bird species Isabellina wheatear allows speculating about a major contribution of birds to the phylogeography of the pathogen. A genotyping protocol was developed utilizing seven polymorphic tandem repeats, two of which were identified within the framework of this work. The in vitro and in silico results are identical when using sequencing reads of 300 base-pairs or more.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alma Kairzhanova
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Alexandr Shevtsov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- * E-mail: (AS); (GV)
| | | | | | | | - Larissa Lukhnova
- National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections named by Masgut Aykimbayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Uinkul Izbanova
- National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections named by Masgut Aykimbayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Yerlan Ramankulov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- School of Science and Technology Nazarbayev University, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- * E-mail: (AS); (GV)
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9
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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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10
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Genetic Traces of the Francisella tularensis Colonization of Spain, 1998-2020. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111784. [PMID: 33202547 PMCID: PMC7696290 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 1000 humans have acquired the febrile disease tularemia in Spain since the first notification of human cases in 1997. We here aimed to study the recent molecular evolution of the causative bacterium Francisella tularensis during disease establishment in Spain. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) were analyzed in whole-genome sequences (WGS) of F. tularensis. Short-read WGS data for 20 F. tularensis strains from humans infected in the periods 2014-2015 and 2018-2020 in Spain were generated. These data were combined with WGS data of 25 Spanish strains from 1998 to 2008 and two reference strains. Capillary electrophoresis data of VNTR genetic regions were generated and compared with the WGS data for the 11 strains from 2014 to 2015. Evolutionary relationships among strains were analyzed by phylogenetic methods. We identified 117 informative SNPs in a 1,577,289-nucleotide WGS alignment of 47 F. tularensis genomes. Forty-five strains from Spain formed a star-like SNP phylogeny with six branches emerging from a basal common node. The most recently evolved genomes formed four additional star-like structures that were derived from four branches of the basal common node. VNTR copy number variation was detected in two out of 10 VNTR regions examined. Genetic clustering of strains by VNTRs agreed with the clustering by SNPs. The SNP data provided higher resolution among strains than the VNTRs data in all but one cases. There was an excellent correlation between VNTR marker sizing by capillary electrophoresis and prediction from WGS data. The genetic data strongly support that tularemia, indeed, emerged recently in Spain. Distinct genetic patterns of local F. tularensis population expansions imply that the pathogen has colonized a previously disease-free geographical area. We also found that genome-wide SNPs provide higher genetic resolution among F. tularensis genomes than the use of VNTRs, and that VNTR copy numbers can be accurately predicted using short-read WGS data.
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11
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The Comparative Virulence of Francisella tularensis Subsp. mediasiatica for Vaccinated Laboratory Animals. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091403. [PMID: 32932593 PMCID: PMC7564995 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a severe infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacteria Fracisella tularensis. There are four subspecies of F.tularensis: holarctica, tularensis, mediasiatica, and novicida, which differ in their virulence and geographic distribution. One of them, subsp. mediasiatica remains extremely poorly studied, primarily due to the fact that it is found only in the sparsely populated regions of Central Asia and Russia. In particular there is little information in the literature on the virulence and pathogenicity of subsp. mediasiatica. In the present article, we evaluated the comparative virulence of subsp. mediasiatica in vaccinated laboratory animals which we infected with virulent strains: subsp. mediasiatica 678, subsp. holarctica 503, and subsp. tularensis SCHU within 60 to 180 days after vaccination. We found that subsp. mediasiatica is comparable in pathogenicity in mice with subsp. tularensis and in guinea pigs with subsp. holarctica. We also found that the live vaccine does not fully protect mice from subsp. mediasiatica but completely protects guinea pigs for at least six months. In general, our data suggest that subsp. mediasiatica occupies an intermediate position in virulence between spp. tularensis and holarctica.
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12
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Draft Genome Sequence of the Strain Francisella tularensis subsp. mediasiatica 240, Isolated in Kazakhstan. Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:9/35/e00766-20. [PMID: 32855253 PMCID: PMC7453289 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00766-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis subsp. mediasiatica is the least studied among the four F. tularensis subspecies. We present here the genome data of F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica 240, isolated in the southern region of Kazakhstan.
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13
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Regoui S, Hennebique A, Girard T, Boisset S, Caspar Y, Maurin M. Optimized MALDI TOF Mass Spectrometry Identification of Francisella tularensis Subsp. holarctica. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8081143. [PMID: 32731606 PMCID: PMC7464108 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8081143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a tier 1 agent causing the zoonosis tularemia. This highly infectious Gram-negative bacterium is occasionally isolated from human samples (especially blood samples) in routine clinical microbiology laboratories. A rapid and accurate method for identifying this pathogen is needed in order to optimize the infected patient’s healthcare management and prevent contamination of the laboratory personnel. MALDI TOF mass spectrometry has become the gold standard for the rapid identification of most human pathogens. However, F. tularensis identification using such technology and commercially available databases is currently considered unreliable. Real-time PCR-based methods for rapid detection and accurate identification of F. tularensis are not available in many laboratories. As a national reference center for tularemia, we developed a MALDI TOF database allowing accurate identification of the species F. tularensis and its differentiation from the closely related neighbor species F. tularensis subsp. novicida and F. philomiragia. The sensitivity and specificity of this database were validated by testing 71 F. tularensis strains and 165 strains from 63 species not belonging to the Francisella genus. We obtained accurate identification at the species level and differentiation of all the tested bacterial strains. In particular, F. tularensis could be accurately differentiated from other small Gram-negative bacilli occasionally isolated from human samples, including species of the HACEK group and Brucella melitensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiane Regoui
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France; (S.R.); (A.H.); (T.G.); (S.B.); (Y.C.)
| | - Aurélie Hennebique
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France; (S.R.); (A.H.); (T.G.); (S.B.); (Y.C.)
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Grenoble INP, CHU Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Thomas Girard
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France; (S.R.); (A.H.); (T.G.); (S.B.); (Y.C.)
| | - Sandrine Boisset
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France; (S.R.); (A.H.); (T.G.); (S.B.); (Y.C.)
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Grenoble INP, CHU Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Yvan Caspar
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France; (S.R.); (A.H.); (T.G.); (S.B.); (Y.C.)
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Grenoble INP, CHU Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Max Maurin
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France; (S.R.); (A.H.); (T.G.); (S.B.); (Y.C.)
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Grenoble INP, CHU Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-476-769-594
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14
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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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15
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Draft Genome Sequences of Three Francisella tularensis subsp. mediasiatica Strains Isolated in the Altai Territory, Russian Federation. Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:9/7/e01202-19. [PMID: 32054705 PMCID: PMC7019060 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01202-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the draft genome sequences of three Francisella tularensis subsp. mediasiatica strains isolated in the Altai Territory, Russian Federation. We report the draft genome sequences of three Francisella tularensis subsp. mediasiatica strains isolated in the Altai Territory, Russian Federation.
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16
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Abstract
Tularemia is a Holarctic zoonosis caused by the gamma proteobacterium Francisella tularensis and is considered to be a vector-borne disease. In many regions, human risk is associated with the bites of flies, mosquitoes, or ticks. But the biology of the agent is such that risk may be fomite related, and large outbreaks can occur due to inhalation or ingestion of contaminated materials. Such well-documented human risk factors suggest a role for these risk factors in the enzootic cycle as well. Many arthropods support the growth or survival of the agent, but whether arthropods (ticks in particular) are obligately required for the perpetuation of F. tularensis remains to be demonstrated. As with most zoonoses, our knowledge of the ecology of F. tularensis has been driven with the objective of understanding human risk. In this review, we focus on the role of the arthropod in maintaining F. tularensis, particularly with respect to long-term enzootic persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam R Telford
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health and New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536, USA;
| | - Heidi K Goethert
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health and New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536, USA;
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17
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Pilo P. Phylogenetic Lineages of Francisella tularensis in Animals. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:258. [PMID: 30109216 PMCID: PMC6079424 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the facultative intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis. This microorganism can infect a plethora of animal species and its ecology is particularly complex. Much research was performed to understand its biology but many questions are still open, especially concerning the life cycle of this bacterium in the environment related to physical and biological parameters. Numerous animals are major hosts of F. tularensis but precise reservoir species are not yet well defined. Moreover, the exact range of species susceptible to tularemia is not clear and is complicated by the differences in virulence and ecology observed among the subspecies of F. tularensis. Indeed, different life cycles in nature, including the animal species concerned, were previously described for F. tularensis subsp. tularensis and F. tularensis subsp. holarctica. Recently, molecular techniques showing adequate discrimination between strains were developed, leading to the possibility to investigate links between phylogenetic lineages and infection in animals. New perspectives in research are now possible thanks to the information available and the simplicity of the molecular procedures. Current studies are unfolding the evolution of F. tularensis and these developments will lead to the elucidation of geographical and ecological differences observed by veterinarians, microbiologists and conservation biologists. However, systematic, coordinated collection of data and extensive sampling are important to efficiently assemble the findings of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Pilo
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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18
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Mostafavi E, Ghasemi A, Rohani M, Molaeipoor L, Esmaeili S, Mohammadi Z, Mahmoudi A, Aliabadian M, Johansson A. Molecular Survey of Tularemia and Plague in Small Mammals From Iran. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:215. [PMID: 30042927 PMCID: PMC6048195 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Plague and tularemia are zoonoses and their causative bacteria are circulating in certain regions of Iran. This study was conducted to investigate potential disease reservoirs amongst small wildlife species in different regions of Iran. Methods: Rodents, insectivores and hares from 17 different provinces of the country were collected in 2014 and 2015. Samples were taken from the spleens of the animals and Real-time PCR was applied to detect nucleic acid sequences that are specific to Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis, respectively. Results: Among 140 collected rodents, 25 distinct species were identified out of which five were the most common: Microtus paradoxus (21% out of 140 rodents), Apodemus witherbyi (12%), Microtus irani (11%), Mus musculus (11%) and Microtus socialis (10%). Seventeen insectivores were collected and identified as Crocidura suaveolens (82%) and C. leucodon (18%). Fifty-one hares were collected and identified as Lepus europaeus (57%), Lepus tolai (14%) and Lepus sp. (29%). Three out of 140 explored rodents (1.91%) were positive for F. tularensis, an A. witherbyi, a Mus musculus domesticus, and a Chionomys nivalis collected from Golestan, Khuzestan and Razavi Khorasan provinces, respectively. Two hares (3.92%) were F. tularensis-positive, a L. europaeus from Khuzestan and a Lepus sp. from the Sistan and Baluchistan province. None of the tested animals were positive for Y. pestis. Conclusion: This is the first report of direct detection of F. tularensis in mammals of Iran and the first-time observation of the agent in a snow vole, C. nivalis worldwide. The results indicate that tularemia is more widespread in Iran than previously reported including the Northeast and Southwestern parts of the country. Future studies should address genetic characterization of F. tularensis positive DNA samples from Iran to achieve molecular subtyping and rule out assay cross-reactivity with near neighbor Francisella species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Mostafavi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ghasemi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Rohani
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Microbiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Molaeipoor
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Faculty of Public Health Branch, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinolabedin Mohammadi
- Rodentology Research Department, Applied Animal Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ahmad Mahmoudi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Rodentology Research Department, Applied Animal Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mansour Aliabadian
- Rodentology Research Department, Applied Animal Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Anders Johansson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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19
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Thelaus J, Lundmark E, Lindgren P, Sjödin A, Forsman M. Galleria mellonella Reveals Niche Differences Between Highly Pathogenic and Closely Related Strains of Francisella spp. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:188. [PMID: 29922601 PMCID: PMC5996057 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis, a highly virulent bacteria that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia, is considered a potential agent of biological warfare and bioterrorism. Although the host range for several species within the Francisella is known, little is known about the natural reservoirs of various Francisella species. The lack of knowledge regarding the environmental fates of these pathogens greatly reduces the possibilities for microbial risk assessments. The greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) is an insect of the order Lepidoptera that has been used as an alternative model to study microbial infection during recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate G. mellonella as a model system for studies of human pathogenic and closely related opportunistic and non-pathogenic strains within the Francisella genus. The employed G. mellonella larvae model demonstrated differences in lethality between human pathogenic and human non-pathogenic or opportunistic Francisella species. The F. novicida, F. hispaniensis and F. philomiragia strains were significantly more virulent in the G. mellonella model than the strains of human pathogens F. t. holarctica and F. t. tularensis. Our data show that G. mellonella is a possible in vivo model of insect immunity for studies of both opportunistic and virulent lineages of Francisella spp., that produces inverse results regarding lethality in G. mellonella and incapacitating disease in humans. The results provide insight into the potential host specificity of F. tularensis and closely related members of the same genus, thus increasing our present understanding of Francisella spp. ecology.
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