Increased knowledge of Francisella genus diversity highlights the benefits of optimised DNA-based assays.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent advances in sequencing technologies offer promising tools for generating large numbers of genomes, larger typing databases and improved mapping of environmental bacterial diversity. However, DNA-based methods for the detection of Francisella were developed with limited knowledge about genetic diversity. This, together with the high sequence identity between several Francisella species, means there is a high risk of false identification and detection of the highly virulent pathogen Francisella tularensis. Moreover, phylogenetic reconstructions using single or limited numbers of marker sequences often result in incorrect tree topologies and inferred evolutionary distances. The recent growth in publicly accessible whole-genome sequences now allows evaluation of publi

SUBMITTER: Ahlinder J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3575276 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature