title: Molecular method for discrimination between Francisella tularensis and Francisella-like endosymbionts.
abstract: Environmental studies on the distribution of Francisella spp. are hampered by the frequency of Francisella-like endosymbionts that can produce a misleading positive result. A new, efficient molecular method for detection of Francisella tularensis and its discrimination from Francisella-like endosymbionts, as well as two variants associated with human disease (unusual F. tularensis strain FnSp1 and F. tularensis subsp. novicida-like strain 3523), is described. The method is highly specific and sensitive, detecting up to one plasmid copy or 10 genome equivalents.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Espiroquetas y Patógenos Especiales, Servicio de Bacteriología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Escudero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kovácsová
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Vargas
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jado
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Amil
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.forename: Mangesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhide
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anda
mesh_terms: D015342:DNA Probes / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005603:Francisella / Q000235:genetics*; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014406:Tularemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial