Culture properties of the causative agent of tularemia isolated in natural foci in Stavropol Territory, the Kalmyk ASSR and the Armenian SSR

The strains isolated in natural foci of the Stavropol Territory and the Armenian SSR have been found to belong to the holarctic race of Francisella tularensis, biovar II. In natural foci of the Kalmyk ASSR the strains belonging to biovars I and II have been isolated. The study of the tularecinogenicity of the cultures has revealed the existence of strains which are not sensitive to their own tularecins. The phenomenon of tularecinogenicity in F. novocida has been established. Avirulent strain 319/38 belonging to the non-arctic race is recommended as an indicator strain for the determination of tularecinogenicity.