Virulence and genome analysis of three historical <i>Francisella tularensis</i> ssp. <i>holarctica</i> isolates for development of a Type B test panel.

ABSTRACT: Francisella tularensis ssp. tularensis (Type A) and ssp. holarctica (Type B) are the etiological agent of tularemia. Most studies on F. tularensis pathogenesis and vaccine development have focused on the Type A Schu S4 strain. However, Type B isolates remain less understood, emphasizing the need for further research. To address this concern and provide well characterized Type B isolates to test future vaccine efficacy, we selected three Type B isolates available in the USAMRIID repository (VT68, strain 425, and strain 503). These strains were chosen based on the original isolation source, the availability of historical in vivo data, and genomic sequence data. Strains were characterized for extracellular and intracellular growth, lipopolysaccharide profile

SUBMITTER: Mlynek KD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12713356 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature