Molecular bases of proliferation of Francisella tularensis in arthropod vectors

Francisella tularensis: an arthropod-borne pathogen

Arthropod transmission of tularemia occurs throughout the northern hemisphere. Few pathogens show the adaptability of Francisella tularensis to such a wide array of arthropod vectors. Nonetheless, arthropod transmission of F. tularensis was last actively investigated in the first half of the 20th century. This review will focus on arthropod transmission to humans with respect to vector species,...

Francisella tularensis

Regulation of Francisella Tularensis Virulence

Francisella tularensis is one of the most virulent bacteria known and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category A select agent. It is able to infect a variety of animals and insects and can persist in the environment, thus Francisella spp. must be able to survive in diverse environmental niches. However, F. tularensis has a surprising dearth of sensory and regulatory factors. Recent...

Nutritional virulence of Francisella tularensis

One of the most fundamental aspects of infectious diseases is microbial acquisition of nutrients in vivo, which impacts virulence and antibiotic treatment. Therefore, it is not surprising that part of the innate host defense against microbial infection is to limit access of various invading pathogens to sources of host nutrients (Abu Kwaik and Bumann, 2013; Eisenreich et al., 2013). Despite thi...

Genetic Manipulation of Francisella Tularensis

Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes the disease tularemia. F. tularensis subsp. tularensis causes the most severe disease in humans and has been classified as a Category A select agent and potential bioweapon. There is currently no vaccine approved for human use, making genetic manipulation of this organism critical to unraveling the genetic basis of patho...