Animals to War

Kingdom:  Bacteria

Phylum:  Proteobacteria

      Class:  Gamma Proteobacteria

     Order:  Thiotrichales

    Family:  Francisellaceae

     Genus: Francisella

    Species: tularensis

Microscopic Photo of F. tularensis


Francisella tularensis is a bacteria that infects humans with the disease tularemia.  This genus has a couple other strains Francisella novicida and Francisella holarctica of which all three are being investigated in various research laboratories world wide due to their poisonous effects to the human body. 

Tularemia is considered a zoonotic disease that is capable of surviving for weeks at low temperatures in water, moist soil, hay, straw, or decaying animal carcasses.  Voles, mice, water rats, squirrels, and rabbits are common carriers of F. tularensis.  They acquire this bacteria from tick, flea, and mosquito bites.  Humans are able to be infected also by being bitten by the life form that carries it.  Also, they can be infected by being exposed to contaminated water, food, soil, or inhalation of aerosolized bacteria.  Human to Human transmission has not been documented, thus no isolation is necessary if someone has Tularemia.

F. tularensis has been used as a biological weapon in terrorism to spread the Tularemia disease.  Various countries have weaponized this bioterrorism agent including:  United States and former Soviet Union.  The U.S. military destroyed this biological weapon in 1973 and the former Soviet Union stopped their biological weapons program in 1992.  The aerosol release method is considered the most dangerous way for Tularemia to spread.

If one is concerned about having the Tularemia disease laboratory testing is essential.  Lab tests will microscopically search for the bacteria F. tularensis using fluorescent-labeled antibodies.  To be positive lab tests will take the biopsy of the suspected infection of   F. tularensis and grow the bacteria.  This process takes around 24-48 hours but may be as long as 10 days.  Symptoms of Tularemia vary depending where the infection is located and the individuals reaction to it.  Typically they include fever, headache, chills, general body aches, sore throat, and malaise.  Other physiological issues associated with this disease are ulcers, pneumonia, pleuritis, and hilar lymphadenopathy.  The incubation period may be 1-14 days but symptoms usually develop between 3 and 5 days.  Treatment is available and could possibly save the persons life as it may kill if left untreated!

Chocolate Agar Medium
 with F. tularensis

  

Ulcer caused by Tularemia