title: Discriminating Francisella tularensis and Francisella-like endosymbionts in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks: evaluation of current molecular techniques.
abstract: Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is commonly transmitted by ticks. To ensure accurate F. tularensis reporting rates in epidemiological surveys, specific discrimination between F. tularensis and Francisella-like tick endosymbionts (FLEs) is absolutely critical. Four molecular available techniques capable of distinguishing Francisella spp. were compared here for the first time in French Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in order to estimate their specificity as well as their ease and speed of use. Results showed that tul4 and fopA real-time PCR assays can easily and effectively discriminate between F. tularensis and FLEs in D. reticulatus. In addition, a high prevalence of FLEs in D. reticulatus collected in France was reported by the use of fopA real-time PCR assay (79%). Finally, phylogenetic analysis showed that FLEs isolated from D. reticulatus correspond to a well-defined group compared to FLEs originating from various tick species.
authors: USC BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, UPEC, 23 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94706 Maisons Alfort cedex, France. lorraine.michelet@anses.fr
authors: Lorraine
authors: L
authors: Michelet
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Bonnet
authors: Nora
authors: N
authors: Madani
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Moutailler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D003870:Dermacentor / Q000382:microbiology*; D005602:France; D005603:Francisella / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000592:standards; D013559:Symbiosis
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C083436:FopA protein, Francisella tularensis; D008074:Lipoproteins; C075214:TUL4 protein, Francisella tularensis