Phylogenetic Analysis of Francisella tularensis Group A.II Isolates from 5 Patients with Tularemia, Arizona, USA, 2015-2017

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 May;25(5):944-946. doi: 10.3201/eid2505.180363.

Abstract

We examined 5 tularemia cases in Arizona, USA, during 2015-2017. All were caused by Francisella tularensis group A.II. Genetically similar isolates were found across large spatial and temporal distances, suggesting that group A.II strains are dispersed across long distances by wind and exhibit low replication rates in the environment.

Keywords: Arizona; Francisella tularensis; United States; bacteria; evolution; group A.II; phylogenetic analysis; tularemia; whole-genome sequencing.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arizona / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Francisella tularensis / classification*
  • Francisella tularensis / genetics*
  • Francisella tularensis / isolation & purification
  • Genome, Bacterial
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phylogeny
  • Tularemia / epidemiology*
  • Tularemia / history
  • Tularemia / microbiology*
  • Whole Genome Sequencing