Francisella tularensis

Question 1

Physical description of f. tularensis

Answer 1

• G negative
• coccobacillus
• pleomorphic
• slow growth
• requires cysteine

Question 2

Clinical presentation of f. tularensis

Answer 2

• 2 to 6 day incubation
• inflamed, ulcerated papule at site of infection
• high fever, severe toxemia
• abscess formation in liver, spleen, lymph nodes

Question 3

Epidemiology of f. tularensis

Answer 3

• rabbits; type A - most severe
• beaver, rodents; type B - milder
• many Arkansas/Missouri
• skinning infected animals-aerosol inhalation
• ticks or deer flies
• lab hazards
• infection dose is 10 bacteria

Question 4

Pathogenesis of f. tularensis

Answer 4

• capsule resists complementary
• taken up by Macrophages by coiling phagocytosis, prevents oxidative bursts, grows intracellularly in macrophages and PMNs
• PAI with 17 genes
• T4SS + effectors
• LPS, PG

Question 5

Control of f. tularensis

Answer 5

-doxycycline, cipro., gentamycin