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Review
. 2014 Mar;37(2):85-96.
doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2014.01.002. Epub 2014 Jan 13.

Tularaemia: a challenging zoonosis

C L Carvalho  1 , I Lopes de Carvalho  2 , L Zé-Zé  3 , M S Núncio  3 , E L Duarte  4
Affiliations
Review

Tularaemia: a challenging zoonosis

C L Carvalho et al. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

In recent years, several emerging zoonotic vector-borne infections with potential impact on human health have been identified in Europe, including tularaemia, caused by Francisella tularensis. This remarkable pathogen, one of the most virulent microorganisms currently known, has been detected in increasingly new settings and in a wide range of wild species, including lagomorphs, rodents, carnivores, fish and invertebrate arthropods. Also, a renewed concern has arisen with regard to F. tularensis: its potential use by bioterrorists. Based on the information published concerning the latest outbreaks, the aim of this paper is to review the main features of the agent, its biology, immunology and epidemiology. Moreover, special focus will be given to zoonotic aspects of the disease, as tularaemia outbreaks in human populations have been frequently associated with disease in animals.

Keywords: Category A biowarfare agents; Francisella tularensis; Tularaemia; Wild animals; Zoonosis.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Phylogeography of F. tularensis and Francisella-like endosymbionts.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Two life cycles of tularemia are recognised: the terrestrial cycle and the aquatic cycle. The terrestrial cycle is more commonly associated with Type A tularemias and the aquatic cycle with Type B.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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