Francisella tularensis is a common gram negative bacteria that is found throughout the United States, but is most commonly located in the central states (Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Tennesee). This small microbe is the cause of a medical condition diagnosed as rabbit fever (Tularemia). Francisella tularensis is transferred to humans from tick bites, deerflies, and undercooked meat. There have been some cases of Tularemia reported that have been aquired by lab technicians being exposed to Francisella tularensis through small breaks in there skin while culturing the bacteria. The microbe that causes rabbit fever can live for long periods in cold, moist environments.
Culturing the bacteria on standard media is very difficult. When colonies are present, they appear as white to gray, or blueish gray in color and round, slightly mucoidal in shape. Francisella tularensis is incubated best at 35-37 oC. This microbe is found to be fastidious to cystine and cysteine. Francisella tularensis appear as small (0.2 by 0.2 µm), gram negative coccobacilli in a gram stain.
There have been no known cases of Tularemia transferred from human to human contact. Most cases in the central states are contracted by tick bites and by eating undercooked meat. Most cases of tularemia are treated with antiobiotics such as streptomycin and gentamycin.
Reference:
Weyant, R., “Francisella and Brucella”, Laboratory Microbiology, 2001 Vol. 2 pg. 789-794.
http://www.cdc.gov.od.ohs.lrsat
*Disclaimer - This report was written by a student participaring in a microbiology course at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. The accuracy of the contents of this report is not guaranteed and it is recommended that you seek additional sources of information to verify the contents.
Return to Missouri S&T Microbiology HomePage Go to DJW's HomePage
This Document is maintained by djwesten@ mst.edu
