Working toward the Future: Insights into Francisella tularensis Pathogenesis and Vaccine Development |
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Authors: | Roger D Pechous Travis R McCarthy Thomas C Zahrt |
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Institution: | Center for Biopreparedness and Infectious Disease and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226-0509 |
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Abstract: | Summary: Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular gram-negative pathogen and the etiological agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia. Recent advances in the field of Francisella genetics have led to a rapid increase in both the generation and subsequent characterization of mutant strains exhibiting altered growth and/or virulence characteristics within various model systems of infection. In this review, we summarize the major properties of several Francisella species, including F. tularensis and F. novicida, and provide an up-to-date synopsis of the genes necessary for pathogenesis by these organisms and the determinants that are currently being targeted for vaccine development. |
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