Multiple Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis of Francisella tularensis
Abstract
Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is highly virulent with an extremely low infective dose. Although F. tularensis comprises four subspecies (tularensis, holarctica, mediasiatica, and novicida), the two most clinically important subspecies are the highly virulent F. tularensis (nearctica, biovar type A) and the moderately virulent F. tularensis holarctica (palaearctica, biovar type B). F. tularensis is considered a potential biological weapon and listed as a Category A select agent by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A PCR-based typing system that targets variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) at multiple loci (MLVA) can distinguish very closely related bacterial strains. In this report we describe the MLVA typing of 24 strains of F. tularensis in the DRDC Suffield collection using 25 VNTR loci. The DRDC Suffield strains, although quite heavily weighted towards F. tularensis holarctica (18 strains), do have representation from other subspecies including F. tularensis A.I, F. tularensis A.II, F. tularensis holarctica B.V Japan; and F. tularensis mediasiatica.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA536712
Entities
People
- Chad W. Stratilo
- Doug E. Bader