title: An outbreak of Francisella tularensis in captive prairie dogs: an immunohistochemical analysis.
abstract: An immunohistochemical assay was developed and tested for detection of Francisella tularensis lipopolysaccaride antigen in tissues of captive prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Tissues from 59 cases of F. tularensis were examined by this technique, which was corroborated by direct fluorescent antibody assay and direct isolation of the organism. In infected prairie dogs, studies indicated multiple, severe, necroprurulent foci occurring in the liver, lung, spleen, terminal ileum, and mandibular lymph node. Immunohistochemical analysis of the same formalin-fixed tissues indicated the presence of F. tularensis antigen in neutrophils and macrophages of these lesions and occurring extracellularly in areas of necrosis. This report demonstrates that immunohistochemical analysis is a rapid procedure that can be used to determine the pathogenesis of F. tularensis in rodent populations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80522, USA.
authors.forename: Nordin S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Zeidner
authors.forename: Leon G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Monteneiri
authors.forename: Jeannine M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schriefer
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Gage
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: May C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D012589:Sciuridae; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014406:Tularemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*