Affiliation:
1. Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
2. Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Following detection of putative
Francisella
species in aerosol samples from Houston, Texas, we surveyed soil and water samples from the area for the agent of tularemia,
Francisella tularensis
, and related species. The initial survey used 16S rRNA gene primers to detect
Francisella
species and related organisms by PCR amplification of DNA extracts from environmental samples. This analysis indicated that sequences related to
Francisella
were present in one water and seven soil samples. This is the first report of the detection of
Francisella
-related species in soil samples by DNA-based methods. Cloning and sequencing of PCR products indicated the presence of a wide variety of
Francisella
-related species. Sequences from two soil samples were 99.9% similar to previously reported sequences from
F. tularensis
isolates and may represent new subspecies. Additional analyses with primer sets developed for detection and differentiation of
F. tularensis
subspecies support the finding of very close relatives to known
F. tularensis
strains in some samples. While the pathogenicity of these organisms is unknown, they have the potential to be detected in
F. tularensis
-specific assays. Similarly, a potential new subspecies of
Francisella philomiragia
was identified. The majority of sequences obtained, while more similar to those of
Francisella
than to any other genus, were phylogenetically distinct from known species and formed several new clades potentially representing new species or genera. The results of this study revise our understanding of the diversity and distribution of
Francisella
and have implications for tularemia epidemiology and our ability to detect bioterrorist activities.
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Subject
Ecology,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,Food Science,Biotechnology
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Cited by
133 articles.
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