title: Early recognition of atypical Francisella tularensis strains lacking a cysteine requirement.
abstract: Seven cultures referred to in our laboratories as unidentified gram-negative bacilli or Haemophilus species were identified as atypical strains of Francisella tularensis lacking a requirement for cysteine or enriched medium for growth. The use of cellular fatty acid composition analysis facilitated early recognition of this pathogen and prompt implementation of appropriate biosafety measures.
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory for Bacteriology, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tessier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winstanley
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borczyk
mesh_terms: D003264:Containment of Biohazards; D003470:Culture Media; D003545:Cysteine; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D014406:Tularemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005227:Fatty Acids; D003545:Cysteine