Phylogeography of Francisella tularensis ssp. holarctica in France

Lett Appl Microbiol. 2011 Feb;52(2):177-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2010.02977.x.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the phylogeography of French Francisella tularensis ssp. holarctica isolates.

Methods and results: Canonical SNPs and MLVA were used to genotype 103 French F. tularensis ssp. holarctica isolates. We confirmed the presence of one subclade, the central and western European group (B.Br.FTNF002-00), and identified four major MLVA genotypes with no obvious geographical differentiation.

Conclusions: The lack of geographical resolution among MLVA genotypes suggests rapid dispersal, convergent evolution or a combination of the two.

Significance and impact of the study: This study expands knowledge of the phylogeography of one of the two dominant European F. tularensis ssp. holarctica subclades and illustrates the need for additional SNP discovery within this subclade.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • France
  • Francisella tularensis / classification*
  • Francisella tularensis / genetics
  • Francisella tularensis / isolation & purification
  • Genotype
  • Minisatellite Repeats
  • Phylogeny
  • Phylogeography
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide