Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular bacterium in the class Gammaproteobacteria. This strain is of interest because it is the etiologic agent of tularemia and a highly virulent category A biothreat agent. Here we describe the draft genome sequence and annotation of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica BD11-00177, isolated from the first case of indigenous tularemia detected in The Netherlands since 1953. Whole genome DNA sequence analysis assigned this isolate to the genomic group B.FTNF002–00, which previously has been exclusively reported from Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany. Automatic annotation of the 1,813,372 bp draft genome revealed 2,103 protein-coding and 46 RNA genes.
Highlights
Francisella tularensis is a Gram negative, nonmotile, non-spore forming, facultative intracellular bacterium appearing as short rods or coccoid forms [1]
Francisella is the only genus within the family Francisellaceae and is a member of the order Thiotrichales and the class Gammaproteobacteria [4] [Table 1]
F. tularensis is capable of infecting hundreds of different vertebrate and invertebrate hosts [20]
Summary
Francisella tularensis is a Gram negative, nonmotile, non-spore forming, facultative intracellular bacterium appearing as short rods or coccoid forms [1]. Transmission to humans has been reported by direct contact with infected animals, arthropod bites, inhalation of contaminated dust or ingestion of contaminated food or water. This pathogen is highly infectious as it can cause infection upon inhalation of as few as 10 cells. This extremely low infectious dose makes transmission via aerosols easy, and previous attempts to weaponize this microorganism have led to its recognition as a category A biothreat agent (CDC classification) [2,3]. F. tularensis contains three subspecies that are infectious to humans; the highly virulent Francisella tularensis subsp. As the patient had not been abroad for years, this was the first documented case of indigenous tularemia in The Netherlands since 1953
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