Further studies on tularemia in Alaska: virulence and biochemical characteristics of indigenous strains

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Cultures of Francisella tularensis isolated in Alaska were compared on the basis of their virulence and biochemical characteristics. Isolates from the hare, Lepus americanus Erxleben, and the hare tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard), conform to the description of F. tularensis nearctica Ols. in their ability to kill domestic rabbits, guinea pigs, and white mice, and in their ability to use glycerol and DL-citrulline. A rodent isolate conforms to the description of F. tularensis holarctica Ols. in its inability to kill domestic rabbits or guinea pigs, and in its inability to use either glycerol or DL-citrulline. Observations of hares experimentally infected with the hare isolate indicate that: (1) they may be fatally infected with less than 10 microorganisms; (2) the infection is fatal within 9 days; (3) no macroscopic lesions are apparent.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: