Francisella

Francisella spp.

Disease association

• Tularemia – one of the most common lab acquired infection –
• Rabbit fever 
• Deer fly fever 
• Market men’s disease

Laboratory diagnosis

• BSL Level 2 Pathogen
• Specimen:
  • scrapings from infected ulcers 
  • lymph node biopsies 
  • sputum
  • Whole blood 
    • acceptable specimen for all types of tularemia

Direct detection

• Gram stain – little use with primary specimen.
• Basic fuchsin– used as counterstain for better staining.

Media and Cultivation

• Media with sulfhydryl compounds (cysteine, cystine, thiosulfate, or IsoVitaleX) – for primary isolation