Genomic markers for differentiation of Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis A.I and A.II strains.
Tularemia is caused by two subspecies of Francisella tularensis, F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (type A) and F. tularensis subsp. holarctica (type B). F. tularensis subsp. tularensis is further subdivided into two genetically distinct populations (A.I and A.II) that differ with respect to geographical location, anatomical source of recovered isolates, and disease outcome. Using two human clinical isolates, suppression subtractive hybridization was performed to identify 13 genomic regions of difference between A.I and A.II strains. Two PCR assays, one to identify A.I and A.II as well as to discriminate between F. tularensis subsp. holarctica and F. novicida and another specific for A.I, were developed. This is the first report to identify and characterize conserved genomic differences between A.I and A.II.
Molins-Schneekloth
Claudia R
CR
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Bacterial Diseases Branch, 3150 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.
Belisle
John T
JT
Petersen
Jeannine M
JM
D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014406:Tularemia / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial