Francisella tularensis

Note : Biohazard level III pathogen. Alert the laboratory if this organism is suspected.

Gram Stain

• Gram negative coccobacilli tiny strict aerobe (fastidious)

Clinical Significance

This organism is widely distributed in the environment and is the causative agent of tularemia, a zoonotic disease affecting a wide range of animals and humans.

Tularemia manifests itself in distinct clinical syndromes including ulceroglandular (most common), glandular, oculoglandular, pharyngeal, typhoidal and pneumonic.

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

This organism produces a beta-lactamase and is resistant to penicillin and cephalosporins.

It is usually susceptible to aminoglycosides, quinolones, and tetracyclines.